YSS-33806 Interdisciplinary Themes in Food & Sustainability
Lectures
Lecture 1 – Finding answers together (Hospes)
Interdisciplinary theme: theme that requires the use and (some kind and level of) integration
of knowledge from different disciplines.
Difference inter- and transdisciplinary research:
Difference multi/inter/transdisciplinary:
Connecting knowledge systems:
1) Integration of knowledge; Incorporating components of one knowledge system into
another
2) Cross-fertilization of knowledge; Parallel, but enriching generation of knowledge
3) Co-production of knowledge; Mutual process of knowledge generation
Why are inter- and transdisciplinary research needed:
§ To prevent partial understandings of complex systems of processes
Because many of today’s societal problems are;
Both technical and social; Complex and systematic; cannot be solved by one actor
alone
§ To enable the realization of SDG’s; business, governments and civil society actors
are equally responsible for progressing a more sustainable future
Barriers and risks of interdisciplinary research:
1) Ontological and epistemological differences
2) Institutional and personal incentive-structures
3) Loss of disciplinary innovation and depth
4) Sliding in safe modus of multi-disciplinary research
1
, Paper 1B: Hospes, Kroeze, Oosterveer, Schouten and Slingerland (2017)
Approach for sustainable pathways for palm oil:
§ Selecting umbrella concepts that ring a bell with both natural and social sciences:
systems, flows, pathways
§ Selecting senior researchers who have a record in interdisciplinary research
Pre-conditions for interdisciplinary research:
1) Recognizing and respecting different ideas on the nature of things and the kind of
knowledge that is needed to understand the nature of things
2) Time, willingness and incentives to engage in process of co-creation and new
generation of knowledge
3) Shared ideas on value and use of disciplinary knowledge in interdisciplinary research
4) Identifying umbrella concepts
When, how, what and why to integrate scientific knowledge (generation, systems):
Risks and barriers of transdisciplinary research:
1) Open or hidden controversy over primacy of science vs primacy of practitioners
2) Different drives and incentives
3) Differences in terms of input and time for research
4) Lack of trust or time to build trust and develop common understandings
Pre-conditions for transdisciplinary research:
1) Time, willingness and incentives to engage in a process of co-creating knowledge
throughout all phases of research
2) Identifying bridging concepts
2
Lectures
Lecture 1 – Finding answers together (Hospes)
Interdisciplinary theme: theme that requires the use and (some kind and level of) integration
of knowledge from different disciplines.
Difference inter- and transdisciplinary research:
Difference multi/inter/transdisciplinary:
Connecting knowledge systems:
1) Integration of knowledge; Incorporating components of one knowledge system into
another
2) Cross-fertilization of knowledge; Parallel, but enriching generation of knowledge
3) Co-production of knowledge; Mutual process of knowledge generation
Why are inter- and transdisciplinary research needed:
§ To prevent partial understandings of complex systems of processes
Because many of today’s societal problems are;
Both technical and social; Complex and systematic; cannot be solved by one actor
alone
§ To enable the realization of SDG’s; business, governments and civil society actors
are equally responsible for progressing a more sustainable future
Barriers and risks of interdisciplinary research:
1) Ontological and epistemological differences
2) Institutional and personal incentive-structures
3) Loss of disciplinary innovation and depth
4) Sliding in safe modus of multi-disciplinary research
1
, Paper 1B: Hospes, Kroeze, Oosterveer, Schouten and Slingerland (2017)
Approach for sustainable pathways for palm oil:
§ Selecting umbrella concepts that ring a bell with both natural and social sciences:
systems, flows, pathways
§ Selecting senior researchers who have a record in interdisciplinary research
Pre-conditions for interdisciplinary research:
1) Recognizing and respecting different ideas on the nature of things and the kind of
knowledge that is needed to understand the nature of things
2) Time, willingness and incentives to engage in process of co-creation and new
generation of knowledge
3) Shared ideas on value and use of disciplinary knowledge in interdisciplinary research
4) Identifying umbrella concepts
When, how, what and why to integrate scientific knowledge (generation, systems):
Risks and barriers of transdisciplinary research:
1) Open or hidden controversy over primacy of science vs primacy of practitioners
2) Different drives and incentives
3) Differences in terms of input and time for research
4) Lack of trust or time to build trust and develop common understandings
Pre-conditions for transdisciplinary research:
1) Time, willingness and incentives to engage in a process of co-creating knowledge
throughout all phases of research
2) Identifying bridging concepts
2
