Abstract
To support societal problem solving, transdisciplinary research (TDR) uses knowledge co-production focusing on relevance and validity in a studied case and its particular social–ecological context. In the first instance, the resulting situated knowledge seems to be restricted to these single cases. However, if some of the knowledge generated in TDR could be used in other research projects, this would imply that there is a body of knowledge representing this special type of research. This study used a qualitative approach based on the methodology of grounded theory to empirically examine what knowledge is considered transferable to other cases, if any. 30 leaders of 12 Swiss-based TDR projects in the field of sustainable development were interviewed, representing both academia and practice. The transferable knowledge we found consists of the following: (1) Transdisciplinary principles, (2) transdisciplinary approaches, (3) systematic procedures, (4) product formats, (5) experiential know-how, (6) framings and (7) insights, data and information. The discussion of TDR has predominantly been focusing on transdisciplinary principles and approaches. In order to take knowledge co-production in TDR beyond an unmanageable field of case studies, more efforts in developing and critically discussing transferable knowledge of the other classes are needed, foremost systematic procedures, product formats and framings.
Highlights
Knowledge co-production is considered a key means to address grand societal challenges (Mauser et al 2013) and discussed as a way for academia to engage in sustainable development that is worth advancing (Polk 2015)
If there is knowledge that can be transferred between cases—implying that there is a body of knowledge in Transdisciplinary research (TDR)—this would allow for sharing such knowledge among scholars in this field
Our results suggest that with classes (1)–(5) a major part of transferable knowledge in TDR consists of knowledge and learnings about TDR, about what is important in TDR, how it can be done, what is helpful to consider in TDR processes and how results and outcomes can be made usable for specific target audiences, i.e. knowledge on a meta level
Summary
Sustainability Science (2021) 16:1891–1905 relevant and valid for a specific case, i.e. a problem situation in its particular social–ecological context. Knowledge produced through TDR, with its focus on relevance and validity for a specific case, may, not be readily transferable from one project to the next. If there is knowledge that can be transferred between cases—implying that there is a body of knowledge in TDR—this would allow for sharing such knowledge among scholars in this field. It is not yet clear whether such transferable knowledge exists, and if so, what it consists of
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