The integrative model of transdisciplinary research incorporates societal and scientific problems and is designed to produce both societal and scientific results (Bergmann et al. 2012). A lot of work has been done on understanding the social and societal effects of transdisciplinary research (TD) (Pärli 2023). However, less attention has been paid to understand what we mean by scientific impact of TD research, which is often referred to also as scientific effect or results of TD research. Rather, conceptual vagueness, the narrow focus and limited research on scientific impact in TD research were described. In order to capture the consequences of TD research in certain parts of the scientific system, different terms such as results, outputs, outcomes, and effects have been used. In addition to these terms, we use the term impact to evaluate potential changes in the (social) structures of the scientific system and its links to other social systems that are influenced by TD research. This forms the basis for investigating whether and how certain outputs, outcomes or effects of TD research affect structural dimensions of the science system (e.g. research modes, methodologies and mechanisms of resource allocation). The Fellow Group "Transdisciplinary Research and its Scientific Impact" of the tdAcademy aimed to address these conceptual issues related to scientific impact in TD research.
Therefore, we conceptualized the impact of TD on science through the epistemic dimension, the ethical dimension, and the organizational dimension, which evolve and influence each other over time (Rütten et al. 2024). The epistemic dimension refers to everything that is connected to knowledge generation and validation. The ethical dimension pertains to whether and to what extent TD research has an impact on the values and norms that underpin the scientific knowledge production system. The organizational dimension relates to the organization of the TD research practice itself, the institutional embedding of this practice in the scientific system as well as certain structures of the wider social and political environment of TD research.
We assume a dynamic interplay between social and scientific impact of TD research. Knowledge exchange and collaborative action, on the one hand, may lead to new interorganizational coalitions in order to solve social problems in a sustainable way. On the other hand, a long lasting participation in such coalitions may have several implications for changing practices in participating scientific organizations that in turn may affect the capacities of future TD research and its social impact again. In addition, more reflections on scientific impact may stimulate strategic considerations how to better position TD research in the context of the scientific system.
Session design: The aim of this session is to use the opportunity of ITD24 to further elaborate our conceptual framework of scientific impact with the international community in the field of TD research, to learn from each other and to broaden our perspective on the scientific impact of TD research.
We will start with a brief introduction on the role of scientific effects in TD research (3min).We will then present a question related to the conceptualization of scientific impact and will use the 1-2-4 method (10min). People will first think alone about the question, then in a group of two people and finally two groups will discuss their ideas related to the question together. In the next round, each group of four people will present their results (2-3min per group). Afterwards we will present the conceptual framework of the scientific impact with the epistemic dimension, the ethical dimension and the organizational dimension as well as experiences and first results of the working group within the Society for Transdisciplinary and Participatory Research (12min). Finally, we will discuss commonalities, differences and open questions with all participants in a moderated group discussion (15min).
In addition, we will record important results of the discussion visually and in writing and share with the TD research and practice community via a blog post.
References
Bergmann, M., T. Jahn, T. Knobloch, W. Krohn, C. Pohl, E. Schramm. 2012. Methods for transdisciplinary research: A primer for practice. Frankfurt am Main/New York: Campus Verlag.
Pärli, R. 2023. How input, process, and institutional factors influence the effects of transdisciplinary research projects. Environmental Science & Policy 140: 80–92.
Rütten, A., Caniglia, G. Semrau, J., de Leeuw, E., Beecroft, R. (under review). The other side of the coin: What do we mean by “scientific impact” of transdisciplinary research? GAIA.
