Who is doing inter- and transdisciplinary research, and why? An empirical study of motivations, attitudes, skills, and behaviours. (September 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Guimarães, Maria Helena; Pohl, Christian; Bina, Olivia; Varanda, Marta
• Is Part Of: Futures. Volume 112(2019)
• Publication Date: 2019-09
• Subjects: Interdisciplinarity -- Transdisciplinary individuals -- Academic career trajectory -- Academic system -- INTREPID cost action; Economic forecasting -- Periodicals; Technological forecasting -- Periodicals; Economic policy -- Periodicals; Prévision économique -- Périodiques; Prévision technologique -- Périodiques; Politique économique -- Périodiques; Economic forecasting; Economic policy; Technological forecasting; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 330.0112
• DOI: 10.1016/j.futures.2019.102441
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0016-3287

Abstract

Highlights: Contribute with empirical data revealing the profile of inter- and transdisciplinary researchers in the scientific community. Explain how thinking outside the disciplinary box can challenge identity and contribute to the future of scientific inquiry. Question inter- and transdisciplinary academic training. Expose the challenges associated with the academic progression based on Inter- and transdisciplinary research. Abstract: We witness a persistent tension between established ways of knowledge production through disciplines, and the urgent need to widen and change, both the production of knowledge and its organization, not least, in order to be able to understand and address the future and its challenges. Witnessing a growing call for inter- and transdisciplinarity (ITD), we set our goal to learn more about scholars who engage in this kind of research by asking these questions: What characterizes inter- and transdisciplinary researchers (ITDRs)? To what extent do these characteristics help ITDRs deal with the challenges of an academic career path? We address both questions by comparing the findings from the relevant literature and semi-structured interviews with ITDRs at different stages in their careers. Our results bring the ITDR personality a step further in taking a form. ITDR personalities can be characterized by a particular mix of motivations, attitudes, skills, and behaviors. However, the academic environment and its career paths do not seem prepared and adapted for such ITDR personalities. Furthermore and in contrast to the literature, the T-shaped training (first, disciplinary depth and then, ITDR) is considered one possible career path, with the other one being a specialization in facilitating knowledge integration and in developing theories, methods, and tools for ITD. Our analysis concludes by exploring the future of ITD if formal training and learning would be available and if the contextual conditions would be more conducive to undertaking this type of research.