Does transdisciplinarity need an underpinning discipline? The case for Integration and Implementation Sciences (i2S)

Abstract

Transdisciplinarity faces five key challenges: lack of connection with other approaches to tackling complex societal and environmental problems; poor recognition of the required expertise; fragmented availability of theory, concepts, methods and processes; no introductory guides for beginners; and marginalisation in universities and other institutional settings. An underpinning discipline - Integration and Implementation Sciences (i2S) - is described, along with how it can address both the scholarly and political aspects of these challenges. Particular attention is paid to how i2S links transdisciplinarity with 22 other approaches to integrative applied research, along with other sources of relevant expertise. The future advancement of transdisciplinarity is also supported by i2S through: a) making transdisciplinary concepts and tools more widely available to all researchers tackling complex societal and environmental problems, b) expanding the expertise of transdisciplinary researchers, c) providing a framework against which to assess transdisciplinary research, and d) strengthening formal alliances among those tackling complex societal and environmental problems by increasing exposure to each other’s work and taking and making opportunities to work together.