Transdisciplinary Integration - Cooperation and Concept Devlopment in Knowledge Networks

Establishing and linking to dynamic knowledge networks is crucial for the further development of social-ecological research. Such networking with other areas of knowledge not only decisively increases its potential for innovation. At the same time, it assures that its knowledge base for developing solutions to societal problems and for methods of knowledge integration across disciplines and beyond academia is continuously extended. Therefore, the project “Transdisciplinary Integration” aims at consolidating and expanding network structures that have emerged in the course of project-related forms of cooperation, in order to create long term possibilities for cooperation with respect to designated lines of research. This approach towards an enhancement of social-ecological research perspectives is taken on in three networks: on a regional level within the network "Transdiciplinary Environmental Sciences", on a national level within a research network on lifestyle analysis, and on an international level within an European Water Network.  

Transdisciplinary Environmental Sciences

As social ecological research was so far mostly pursued by small independent research institutions networking with universities is of particular importance for linking to dynamic knowledge networks. In order to cope with future developments it thus necessary to establish social-ecological research in university research and education. Consequently, a main focus of the project is to enlarge existing cooperation with universities and to develop dedicated social-ecological curricula. In this endeavour a particular challenge will be to introduce transdisciplinary integration as a research approach that besides working out solutions to practical societal problems also generates innovative disciplinary rsearch questions. Participation in the research centre “Biodiversity and Climate” and the offering of social-ecological curricula as part of a masters study course “Environmental Sciences” at the Goethe University Frankfurt core activities in the constitution of sustainable knowledge networks.       

Innovation of the Social-Ecological Research Approach on Lifestyles

By initiating a scientific network for social-ecological research on lifestyles the exchange between scholars from social and mobility research should be strengthened beyond the scope of the particular project cooperation. Since its development in the mid 1990ties the social-ecological research approach on lifestyles brought about a considerable increase in knowledge in problem-oriented sustainability research areas, like mobility, nutrition, tourism, building, and housing. Lifestyle approaches, however, met with criticisms as regards theoretical and methodological problems. Taking up this critique for the sake on innovation of the approach is the main focus of the scientific network. Network activities range from scientific exchange within workshops to joint publications. Supporter of the network is the ISOE together with four external scientists.    

Encouraging Integrative Water Research

Sustainable water policy as well as a sustainable water management a closely coupled with issues as nutrition, energy, land-use, health, environment, and climate. Strategies for solving societal problem in these areas require a comprehensive understanding of systems beyond the water sector. Whereas the “conventional”, technology-oriented, multi- or interdisciplinary water research has already successfully achieved internationalisation, integrative water research is still in its process of establishment and creating links among scholars and institutions. Against this background the activities of the project aim at encouraging integrative water research in international research networks and at improving structural access to European research. Publications, stays at host institutions abroad, workshops and strategic cooperation the integrative, social-ecological research approach is introduced to the broader research community. The ultimate goal is to stimulate agreement on the importance of integrative research approaches and to take influence in the agenda setting – both with respect to research policy and the direction of an integrative environmental and water policy.        

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