Opportunities, balancing acts, and challenges - doing PhDs in transdisciplinary research projects

Sebastian Rogga,Jana Zscheischler

doi:10.1016/j.envsci.2021.03.009

Abstract

Doing a PhD in a transdisciplinary research (TDR) project allows early-career scientists (ECSs) to study innovative topics in socioecological systems and to apply methods involving the co-design and co-production of knowledge with practitioners. However, a series of interviews and a group discussion with ECSs involved in TDR projects revealed not only the benefits for career development but also a number of challenges and even risks related to working on such projects. We discuss the vital role of ECSs in sustainability science and the professionalization of TDR processes. To ensure fair conditions for these researchers, experienced supervisors who assume responsibility for ECSs in TDR projects are required, as is the acknowledgement of the twofold efforts of ECSs in TDR projects and support from scientific networks (e.g., Future Earth) to transform the academic system and build the careers of ECSs in sustainability science. Finally, it has been shown that the scientific discourse on TDR and sustainability science must pay more attention to the specific roles of ECSs and work conditions.

Highlights

In recent years, transdisciplinary research (TDR) that seeks to contribute solutions to environmental problems has become a promising approach in sustainability science
Interviews revealed that the consequences of doing a PhD in TDR projects are ambiguous: while TDR can have advantages for a career outside of science, it is an obstacle to a career in science
Little attention has been devoted to the specific challenges and inherent merits of early-career scientists (ECSs) in TDR projects and the implications for career development

Summary

Introduction

Transdisciplinary research (TDR) that seeks to contribute solutions to environmental problems has become a promising approach in sustainability science. The attention to and application of TDR is often justified by its ability to grasp the complexity of real-world problems, integrate different viewpoints, enable mutual learning pro cesses, provide socially robust orientations and thereby legitimize so lutions for urgent sustainability challenges (e.g., Jahn et al, 2012; Lang et al, 2012; Pohl and Hirsch-Hadorn, 2008; Scholz and Binder, 2011). TDR is conducted in a variety of applied fields, including quite promi nently, in the environmental sciences (Zscheischler and Rogga, 2015). Working on a TDR project during a PhD allows ECSs to study innovative topics in socioecological systems and to apply methods involving the co-design and co-production of knowledge with practitioners

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Discussion

Conclusion