IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v12y2020i6p2499-d336426.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Structured Collaboration Across a Transformative Knowledge Network—Learning Across Disciplines, Cultures and Contexts?

Author

Listed:
  • Adrian Ely

    (SPRU—Science Policy Research Unit/STEPS Centre, University of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9SL, UK)

  • Anabel Marin

    (Centro de Investigaciones para la Transformación, Universidad Nacional de San Martín, 1650 San Martín, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina)

  • Lakshmi Charli-Joseph

    (Laboratorio Nacional de Ciencias de la Sostenibilidad (LANCIS), Instituto de Ecología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 06320 Ciudad de Mexico, Mexico)

  • Dinesh Abrol

    (TRCSS, JNU—Transdisciplinary Research Cluster on Sustainability Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India)

  • Marina Apgar

    (Institute of Development Studies/STEPS Centre, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton BN1 9RH, UK)

  • Joanes Atela

    (African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS) ICIPE, Duduville Campus, Kasarani 00608, Nairobi, Kenya)

  • Becky Ayre

    (Institute of Development Studies/STEPS Centre, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton BN1 9RH, UK)

  • Robert Byrne

    (SPRU—Science Policy Research Unit/STEPS Centre, University of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9SL, UK)

  • Bikramaditya K. Choudhary

    (TRCSS, JNU—Transdisciplinary Research Cluster on Sustainability Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India)

  • Victoria Chengo

    (African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS) ICIPE, Duduville Campus, Kasarani 00608, Nairobi, Kenya)

  • Almendra Cremaschi

    (Centro de Investigaciones para la Transformación, Universidad Nacional de San Martín, 1650 San Martín, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina)

  • Rowan Davis

    (Institute of Development Studies/STEPS Centre, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton BN1 9RH, UK)

  • Pranav Desai

    (TRCSS, JNU—Transdisciplinary Research Cluster on Sustainability Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India)

  • Hallie Eakin

    (School of Sustainability, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-5502, USA)

  • Pravin Kushwaha

    (TRCSS, JNU—Transdisciplinary Research Cluster on Sustainability Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India)

  • Fiona Marshall

    (SPRU—Science Policy Research Unit/STEPS Centre, University of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9SL, UK)

  • Kennedy Mbeva

    (African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS) ICIPE, Duduville Campus, Kasarani 00608, Nairobi, Kenya)

  • Nora Ndege

    (African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS) ICIPE, Duduville Campus, Kasarani 00608, Nairobi, Kenya)

  • Cosmas Ochieng

    (African Development Bank, 1387 Abidjan 01, Cote D’Ivoire)

  • David Ockwell

    (School of Global Studies/STEPS Centre, University of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9RH, UK)

  • Per Olsson

    (Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm University, 113 51 Stockholm, Sweden)

  • Nathan Oxley

    (Institute of Development Studies/STEPS Centre, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton BN1 9RH, UK)

  • Laura Pereira

    (Centre for Food Policy, City University of London, London WC2N 5DU, UK)

  • Ritu Priya

    (TRCSS, JNU—Transdisciplinary Research Cluster on Sustainability Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India)

  • Aschalew Tigabu

    (African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS) ICIPE, Duduville Campus, Kasarani 00608, Nairobi, Kenya)

  • Patrick Van Zwanenberg

    (Centro de Investigaciones para la Transformación, Universidad Nacional de San Martín, 1650 San Martín, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina)

  • Lichao Yang

    (School of Social Development and Public Policy, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100000, China)

Abstract

Realising the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will require transformative changes at micro, meso and macro levels and across diverse geographies. Collaborative, transdisciplinary research has a role to play in documenting, understanding and contributing to such transformations. Previous work has investigated the role of this research in Europe and North America, however the dynamics of transdisciplinary research on ‘transformations to sustainability’ in other parts of the world are less well-understood. This paper reports on an international project that involved transdisciplinary research in six different hubs across the globe and was strategically designed to enable mutual learning and exchange. It draws on surveys, reports and research outputs to analyse the processes of transdisciplinary collaboration for sustainability that took place between 2015–2019. The paper illustrates how the project was structured in order to enable learning across disciplines, cultures and contexts and describes how it also provided for the negotiation of epistemological frameworks and different normative commitments between members across the network. To this end, it discusses lessons regarding the use of theoretical and methodological anchors, multi-loop learning and evaluating emergent change (including the difficulties encountered). It offers insights for the design and implementation of future international transdisciplinary collaborations that address locally-specific sustainability challenges within the universal framework of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Suggested Citation

  • Adrian Ely & Anabel Marin & Lakshmi Charli-Joseph & Dinesh Abrol & Marina Apgar & Joanes Atela & Becky Ayre & Robert Byrne & Bikramaditya K. Choudhary & Victoria Chengo & Almendra Cremaschi & Rowan Da, 2020. "Structured Collaboration Across a Transformative Knowledge Network—Learning Across Disciplines, Cultures and Contexts?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-20, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:6:p:2499-:d:336426
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/12/6/2499/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/12/6/2499/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Geels, Frank W. & Schot, Johan, 2007. "Typology of sociotechnical transition pathways," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 36(3), pages 399-417, April.
    2. Mariano Fressoli & Elisa Arond & Dinesh Abrol & Adrian Smith & Adrian Ely & Rafael Dias, 2014. "When grassroots innovation movements encounter mainstream institutions: implications for models of inclusive innovation," Innovation and Development, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 4(2), pages 277-292, October.
    3. Les Levidow & Joseph Murphy, 2003. "Reframing regulatory science: Trans-Atlantic conflicts over GM crops," Cahiers d'Economie et Sociologie Rurales, INRA Department of Economics, vol. 68, pages 47-74.
    4. Levidow, Les & Murphy, Joseph, 2003. "Reframing regulatory science : Trans-Atlantic conflicts over GM crops," Cahiers d'Economie et de Sociologie Rurales (CESR), Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA), vol. 68.
    5. Smith, Adrian & Stirling, Andy & Berkhout, Frans, 2005. "The governance of sustainable socio-technical transitions," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 34(10), pages 1491-1510, December.
    6. Hubert Schmitz, 2017. "Who drives climate-relevant policies in the rising powers?," New Political Economy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 22(5), pages 521-540, September.
    7. David Ockwell & Joanes Atela & Kennedy Mbeva & Victoria Chengo & Rob Byrne & Rachael Durrant & Victoria Kasprowicz & Adrian Ely, 2019. "Can Pay-As-You-Go, Digitally Enabled Business Models Support Sustainability Transformations in Developing Countries? Outstanding Questions and a Theoretical Basis for Future Research," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(7), pages 1-21, April.
    8. A. Ely & A. Stirling & F. Wendler & E. Vos, 2009. "The Process of Framing," Risk, Governance and Society, in: Ortwin Renn & Marion Dreyer (ed.), Food Safety Governance, chapter 4, pages 47-55, Springer.
    9. Les Levidow & Joseph Murphy, 2003. "Reframing regulatory science : Trans-Atlantic conflicts over GM crops," Post-Print hal-01201052, HAL.
    10. Brandt, Patric & Ernst, Anna & Gralla, Fabienne & Luederitz, Christopher & Lang, Daniel J. & Newig, Jens & Reinert, Florian & Abson, David J. & von Wehrden, Henrik, 2013. "A review of transdisciplinary research in sustainability science," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 92(C), pages 1-15.
    11. Julie Thompson Klein, 2020. "Sustainability and Collaboration: Crossdisciplinary and Cross-Sector Horizons," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-14, February.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Louisa J. M. Jansen, 2020. "Improving Governance of Tenure in Policy and Practice: Monitoring in a Space for Multiple Views," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(23), pages 1-23, November.
    2. Ya-Ching Chang & Hsing-Lung Lien, 2020. "Mapping Course Sustainability by Embedding the SDGs Inventory into the University Curriculum: A Case Study from National University of Kaohsiung in Taiwan," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-21, May.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Roberts, Cameron & Geels, Frank W., 2019. "Conditions for politically accelerated transitions: Historical institutionalism, the multi-level perspective, and two historical case studies in transport and agriculture," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 140(C), pages 221-240.
    2. Weisenfeld, Ursula & Hauerwaas, Antoniya, 2018. "Adopters build bridges: Changing the institutional logic for more sustainable cities. From action to workset to practice," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 47(5), pages 911-923.
    3. Capellán-Pérez, Iñigo & Campos-Celador, Álvaro & Terés-Zubiaga, Jon, 2018. "Renewable Energy Cooperatives as an instrument towards the energy transition in Spain," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 123(C), pages 215-229.
    4. Funcke, Simon & Bauknecht, Dierk, 2016. "Typology of centralised and decentralised visions for electricity infrastructure," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 40(C), pages 67-74.
    5. Hellsmark, Hans & Hansen, Teis, 2020. "A new dawn for (oil) incumbents within the bioeconomy? Trade-offs and lessons for policy," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 145(C).
    6. Pradeep Racherla & Munir Mandviwalla, 2013. "Moving from Access to Use of the Information Infrastructure: A Multilevel Sociotechnical Framework," Information Systems Research, INFORMS, vol. 24(3), pages 709-730, September.
    7. Alessandro Grimaldi & Antonio Lopolito & Massimo Monteleone & Piergiuseppe Morone & Maurizio Prosperi, 2009. "Wp 6: Modelling Stakeholder Interplay And Policy Scenarios For Biorefinery And Biodiesel Production," Quaderni DSEMS 02-2009, Dipartimento di Scienze Economiche, Matematiche e Statistiche, Universita' di Foggia.
    8. Mock, Mirijam & Omann, Ines & Polzin, Christine & Spekkink, Wouter & Schuler, Julia & Pandur, Vlad & Brizi, Ambra & Panno, Angelo, 2019. "“Something inside me has been set in motion”: Exploring the psychological wellbeing of people engaged in sustainability initiatives," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 160(C), pages 1-11.
    9. Geels, Frank W., 2012. "A socio-technical analysis of low-carbon transitions: introducing the multi-level perspective into transport studies," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 24(C), pages 471-482.
    10. Markard, Jochen & Truffer, Bernhard, 2008. "Technological innovation systems and the multi-level perspective: Towards an integrated framework," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 37(4), pages 596-615, May.
    11. Lucy Baker, 2016. "Post-apartheid electricity policy and the emergence of South Africa's renewable energy sector," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2016-15, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    12. Nina Savela & Jarkko Levänen & Sara Lindeman & Nnenesi Kgabi & Heikki Koivisto & Meri Olenius & Samuel John & Damas Mashauri & Minna M. Keinänen-Toivola, 2020. "Rapid Urbanization and Infrastructure Pressure: Comparing the Sustainability Transition Potential of Water and Energy Regimes in Namibia," World, MDPI, vol. 1(2), pages 1-18, July.
    13. Kuokkanen, A. & Nurmi, A. & Mikkilä, M. & Kuisma, M. & Kahiluoto, H. & Linnanen, L., 2018. "Agency in regime destabilization through the selection environment: The Finnish food system’s sustainability transition," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 47(8), pages 1513-1522.
    14. Canitez, Fatih, 2019. "Pathways to sustainable urban mobility in developing megacities: A socio-technical transition perspective," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 141(C), pages 319-329.
    15. Sauermann, Henry & Vohland, Katrin & Antoniou, Vyron & Balázs, Bálint & Göbel, Claudia & Karatzas, Kostas & Mooney, Peter & Perelló, Josep & Ponti, Marisa & Samson, Roeland & Winter, Silvia, 2020. "Citizen science and sustainability transitions," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 49(5).
    16. Erlinghagen, Sabine & Markard, Jochen, 2012. "Smart grids and the transformation of the electricity sector: ICT firms as potential catalysts for sectoral change," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 51(C), pages 895-906.
    17. Alkemade & Simona Negro & Neil Thompson & Marko Hekkert, 2011. "Towards a micro-level explanation of sustainability transitions: entrepreneurial strategies," Innovation Studies Utrecht (ISU) working paper series 11-01, Utrecht University, Department of Innovation Studies, revised Apr 2011.
    18. Émilie Lanciano & Séverine Saleilles, 2017. "Small firms in the sustainable transformation of food industry: entangling entrepreneurship and activism in grassroots innovation processes," Post-Print halshs-01879116, HAL.
    19. Katherine Daniell & Jean-Daniel Rinaudo & Noel Wai Wah Chan & Céline Nauges & Quentin Grafton, 2015. "Understanding and Managing Urban Water in Transition," Post-Print hal-01290502, HAL.
    20. Konstantinos Karanasios & Paul Parker, 2018. "Explaining the Diffusion of Renewable Electricity Technologies in Canadian Remote Indigenous Communities through the Technological Innovation System Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(11), pages 1-28, October.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:6:p:2499-:d:336426. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.