The academic literature is full of stories of research success, while failures are less frequently shared, even though much research is abandoned before completion. Better understanding failure can be highly valuable, particularly in complex research modes like interdisciplinarity and transdisciplinarity. This keynote session will explore the critical yet often overlooked topic of failure in inter- and transdisciplinary research. Drawing on insights from over 100 experts in the field who report on their failure in interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research, this session maps and provides unique insight into the underlying norms and rules that explain failure. By studying these failures through the lens of norms and rules, we can identify root causes that may be overlooked and develop more resilient and aware research practices, enabling teams to anticipate and navigate potential pitfalls more effectively. Ultimately, better understanding failure is essential for turning it into a stepping stone toward more successful and impactful research outcomes. After an introduction by the session chair, the panelists will present a theoretical framework for inter- and transdisciplinary research failure, a description of the empirical study of failure in this context, and an analysis of data generated by this study in terms of norms and rules.

Contributors:

Gabriele Bammer, Australian National University, Australia – Session Chair

Michael O’Rourke, Michigan State University, USA

Dena Fam, University of Technology Sydney, Australia

Jason Prior, University of Technology Sydney, Australia