Collaborative research and action: The changzhou worker wellness project

Abstract

As emphasized in this book, collaborative research and learning, across disciplines and societal sectors, is critical to address complex health and social problems. Over the past century, there has been an increasing focus on such “transdisciplinary” approaches in the scientific literature, teaching and interventions. However, researchers and practitioners in specific disciplines often question the value of and scientific basis for transdisciplinary work. Further, putting transdisciplinary methods into real-world action remains highly challenging. What does it really mean to engage effectively with the diverse stakeholders needed to solve complex problems? Therefore, it is important to advance not only the scientific rationale for transdisciplinarity, but also have case examples. In this chapter, we summarize the pragmatic problem-solving concerns that catalyzed the transdisciplinary movement as well as the transformation of perspectives about ontology and epistemology that provide a scientific foundation for transdisciplinary research and action. We describe a collaborative research and action initiative in China. The goal of the Changzhou Worker Wellness Project is to address problems of migrant factory workers in China. Over 250 million Chinese rural residents have moved to industrial areas for work and struggle with serious health and social issues and many prior government “top down” efforts have not been successful. Beginning in 2011, a collaborative of researchers, government officials, service providers, factory workers and managers and other stakeholders developed a transdisciplinary project to support migrant workers. By using participatory methods drawn from multiple models and methods, collaborators identified many worker issues and created innovative interventions. This chapter summarizes project strategies, challenges and successes.