The challenges of transdisciplinary knowledge production: from unilocal to comparative research

David Simon, Henrietta Palmer, Jan Riise, Warren Smit, Sandra Valencia

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

This reflective paper surveys the lessons learnt and challenges faced
by the Mistra Urban Futures (MUF) research centre and its research platforms in
Sweden, the UK, South Africa and Kenya in developing and deploying different forms of transdisciplinary co-production of knowledge. Considerable experience with a distinctive portfolio of such methods has been gained and reflective evaluation is now under way. While it is important to understand the local context within which each method has evolved, we seek to explain the potential for adaptation in diverse contexts so that such knowledge co-production methods can be more widely utilized. Furthermore, the current phase of MUF’s work is undertaking innovative comparative transdisciplinary co-production research across its research platforms. Since the specific local projects differ, systematic thematic comparison requires great care and methodological rigour. Transdisciplinary co-production is inherently complex, time consuming and often unpredictable in terms of outcomes, and these challenges are intensified when it is undertaken comparatively.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)481-500
Number of pages20
JournalEnvironment and urbanization
Volume30
Issue number2
Early online date4 Sept 2018
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Oct 2018

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