Transdisciplinarity: context, contradictions and capacity
journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-18, 02:27authored byRussell, AW, Wickson, F, Anna Carew
Transdisciplinarity has been proposed as a response to the shifting knowledge landscape in contemporary society. It promises to bring universities and other knowledge organisations into line with new demands and opportunities. In this study, we have investigated drivers of change in the shifting landscape, and note disparate drivers that plot different courses for transdisciplinarity. We describe three drivers: ‘the knowledge economy’, ‘the environmental imperative’ and ‘the engaged populace’. We discuss their different prescriptions for transdisciplinary knowledge production and contradictions that arise from these, including tensions between consolidation and interconnection, and between knowledge commodification and mutual learning. In response, we suggest that rather than investing in knowledge ‘products’, universities should focus on developing capacity for transdisciplinarity, and for knowledge production generally.
History
Publication title
Futures
Volume
40
Issue
5
Pagination
460-472
ISSN
0016-3287
Department/School
Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture (TIA)
Publisher
Elsevier Sci Ltd
Place of publication
The Boulevard, Langford Lane, Kidlington, Oxford, England, Oxon, Ox5 1Gb
Rights statement
Copyright 2007 Elsevier Ltd.
Repository Status
Restricted
Socio-economic Objectives
Other culture and society not elsewhere classified