Abstract:
In response to the mounting expectations placed on the social sciences to address social crises, there is a growing interest in transdisciplinary research formats. Transdisciplinarity is frequently regarded as an antithetical concept to disciplinarity. While disciplinary research is focused on the investigation of scientific questions under controlled conditions, to produce valid, reliable and objective knowledge, transdisciplinary research involves the establishment of close collaborations with social actors on societal issues throughout the research process. This enables the co-production of knowledge that is applicable in a given context. This article challenges the disjunctive understanding of disciplinarity and transdisciplinarity and proposes that they represent two poles connecting a range of research and transfer practices. It highlights their potential for synergistic outcomes. It also considers the practical research requirements, epistemic and methodological hurdles, and risks of transdisciplinary research. In doing so, it makes reference to established procedures and criteria of quality assurance, as well as to open research questions.
Über die Autor*in:
- Jessica Nuske,
M.A., Wiss. Mitarbeiterin in zwei Drittmittelprojekten, promoviert an der Universität Bremen, Arbeitsschwerpunkte Transdisziplinarität, Wissenschaftssoziologie und Wissenstransfer, Forschungsinstitut Gesellschaftlicher Zusammenhang (FGZ), Standort Bremen, Forschungszentrum Ungleichheit und Sozialpolitik (SOCIUM), Institut Arbeit und Wirtschaft an der Universität Bremen
