Transdisciplinary research and stakeholder involvement. A review of the TFO approach

Abstract

The challenges faced in times of global change require new ways of knowledge production in order to understand the dynamics arising from complex social-ecological systems and to support people’s decision making. Integrative approaches are demanded that incorporate a wide range of bodies of knowledge for joint problem-solving amongst scientists and stakeholders. In this context, transdisciplinary research approaches have received growing attention to address these real-world problems and to bridge the gap between scientific knowledge production and decision making. While promising in its ideal-typical conception, experience-based guidelines of how to implement transdisciplinary research are rare. In this paper we aim to present and analyze the approaches applied to involve stakeholders in the research activities in the case of The Future Okavango (TFO) project. Based on a distinction of four levels of intensity for stakeholder involvement, we present the instruments selected to address the diverse stakeholders in the Okavango Basin in the course of the research process. By discussing the role and contribution of these approaches for the overall objectives of the project and by highlighting the challenges faced, we aim to give insight into TFO’s experiences and guidance for the planning of future transdisciplinary research projects. Concluding remarks on the lessons learnt aim to trigger processes of reflection on transdisciplinarity in general as well as on the approach of the TFO project.