Introduction the art of collaborative research and collective learning: Transdisciplinary theory, practice and education

Abstract

This book embraces an ecology of uncertainty, unfairness, complexity, and lack of agency. It weaves a fabric of solution, respect and agency in the sphere of collective transdisciplinary endeavour. The authors believe that transdisciplinary and interdisciplinary approaches to research and education are critical for addressing complex problems involving multiple disciplines and a diversity of societal actors in real-life contexts. The underlying assumption is that creating effective solutions to complex problems requires exchanging knowledge and experiences among a diversity of disciplines (across the social and natural sciences and the arts) with stakeholders in both public and private spheres (Gibbons et al. 1994; Lang et al. 2012; Neuhauser and Pohl 2014; Westberg and Polk 2016; Robinson 2008; Fam et al. 2017; Gibbs 2015).