The aim of this web page is to gather references on in depth case studies of transdisciplinary research projects, and to provide some methodological overviews, with a focus on knowledge integration tools.
To facilitate the search for specific methods, the references are organized according to the scientific scientific methodology where knowledge co-production and knowledge integration was most actively implemented in the given case study.
Background documents
English: Knowledge co-production for social and ecological transition. Preliminary literature review on case studies
Français: Mobilisons les connaissances pour la transition écologique et sociale. Rapport préliminaire sur la revue de la littérature.
In depth presentations of transdisciplinary research projects
Methodological overviews of knowledge integration tools
In depth case presentations of transdisciplinary research projects
1. Use of analytic methods from natural sciences and engineering
Experimentation in the context of a socio-technical living lab
Electricity from solar concentrating collectors
- Core analytical tool: building of an experimental real-world prototype (“living lab”)
- Core social partners: local companies, public officials and citizens
References:
- Di Bono, S., Filippo Paredes, & Fabio Maria Montagnino. (2018). Solar Living Lab: implementing sustainable experimentation process, responsible innovation and community engagement in a solar energy research facility.
- Montenon, F. P., Giaconia, A., Fylaktos, N., Di Bono, S., Papanicolas, C. N., & Montagnino, F. M. (2016). Solar multi-generation in the Mediterranean area, the experience of the STS-MED project. EuroSun 2016.
Flood management through introducing urban green
- Core analytical tool: flood resistance analysis of a real-world green infrastructure (“living lab”)
- Core social partners: public officials from the city of Tampere, Finland
Reference:
Measurements and observations in real-world situations for understanding coupled natural and social systems
Biodiversity preservation in mountain area, Piedmont, Italy
- Core analytical tool: vegetation analysis and soil sample measurements
- Core social partners: citizens, nature park officials
Reference:
Dynamic equations modelling of real-world situations for understanding coupled natural and social systems
Material flows (energy, water, materials) analysis of housing in Vaud and Zurich, Switzerland
- Core analytical tool < agent based modelling
- Core social partners < housing cooperatives, insurance company, public officials
References:
Sustainable self-sufficient energy production and use in two Austrian Energy Regions
- Core analytical tool: dynamic equations modelling
- Core social partners: public officials from the energy region Weiz-Gleisdorf
Reference:
Multi-criteria assessment of bio-physical features for understanding coupled natural and social systems
Multi-criteria assessment of renewable energy options in Austria
- Core analytical tool: multi-criteria assessment
- Core social partners: policy makers
Reference:
Socio-ecological services from increasing urban green in Gothenburg
- Core analytical tool: measurement of biophysical indicators of urban green, survey on perception of values of various socio-ecological services from urban green
- Core social partners: urban planners, citizens
Reference:
- Andersson-Sköld, Y., Klingberg, J., Gunnarsson, B., Cullinane, K., Gustafsson, I., Hedblom, M., … & Thorsson, P. (2018). A framework for assessing urban greenery’s effects and valuing its ecosystem services. Journal of Environmental Management, 205, 274-285.
2. Use of analytic methods from biomedical research
Epidemiological research
Obesity prevention in North Karelia, Finland
- Core analytical tool: medical examinations coupled with epidemiological survey
- Core social partners: health prevention organisations, health professionals
Reference:
Asthma incidence in Brooklyn (New-York State), United States
- Core analytical tool: community health survey
- Core social partners: local community health organisation
Reference:
3. Use of analytic methods from human behavioural and social sciences
Quasi-experimental design
Well-being of immigrants in Albuquerque, United States
- Core analytical tool: social interventions and analysis of data from the interventions
- Core social partners: non-profit organisations
Reference:
Close-ended survey questionnaires
Health and well-being of homeless people in Toronto, Canada
- Core analytical tool: survey conducted by peer individuals from the homeless community
- Core social partners: non-profit organisations for the homeless
Reference:
Open-ended survey questionnaires
Participant observation in real-world social interventions (“real-world laboratories”)
Re-designing 1950ies suburban dormitory towns
- Core analytical tool: social geographical mapping
- Core social partners: urban planners, citizens
Reference:
Climate change adaptation in mountain areas
- Core analytical tool: windows of agency analysis
- Core social partners: inhabitants of the mountain area
- Reference:
- Lavorel, S., Colloff, M. J., Locatelli, B., Gorddard, R., Prober, S. M., Gabillet, M., … & Peyrache-Gadeau, V. (2019). Mustering the power of ecosystems for adaptation to climate change. Environmental Science & Policy, 92: 87-97.
Re-designing an urban square to deal excessive heat during heat waves
- Core analytical tool: social geographical mapping (adapting David Lynch)
- Core social partners: citizens
- References
- Foshag, K., Aeschbach, N., Höfle, B., Winkler, R., Siegmund, A., & Aeschbach, W. (2020). Viability of public spaces in cities under increasing heat: A transdisciplinary approach. Sustainable Cities and Society, 59: 102215.
Sustainable mobility in Stuttgart, Germany
- Core analytical tool: real-world laboratory: social interventions and triangulation of observational data from the interventions
- Core social partners: citizens and non-profit organisations
- References:
- Knorr, Ch., Heydkamp, C. Denkanstösse für alternative mobilitätsressourcen der babyboomer. Synthesebericht. Reallabor für nachhaltige mobilitätskultur. Future City Lab. Universität Stuttgart.
- Website: Reallabor für nachhaltige mobilitätskultur
Analytic methods from legal research
Implementation of the regime on Access and Benefit Sharing of Genetic Resources
- Core analytical tool: legal analysis of contracts
- Core social partners: managers of microbial culture collections
- References
- Dijkshoorn, L., De Vos, P., and Dedeurwaerdere, T., 2010, Understanding patterns of use and scientific opportunities in the emerging global microbial commons, Research in Microbiology 161(6): 407-413.
- Dedeurwaerdere, T., 2010, Global microbial commons: institutional challenges for the global exchange and distribution of microorganisms in the life sciences, Research in Microbiology. 161(6): 414-421.
Equity in access to healthy housing infrastructure and neighbourhoods
4. Use of analytic methods from cultural sciences
Literary analysis
Use of creative works to promote nature protection
Nuclear colonisation of Asia-Pacif islands (orchid island etc.)
- Core analytical tool: literary analysis
- Core social partners: natural scientists and indigeneous writers
- References
- Wendt’s, A., & Rapongan’s, S. (2017). Radiation ecologies, resistance and survivance on Pacific Islands. In: Adamson J. and Davis, M. (eds.). Humanities for the Environment: Integrating knowledge, forging new constellations of practice. Routledge (chater 11).
Creation of a nature park in the Northern Black Forest, Germany
Methodological overviews of knowledge integration tools
Use of analytic tools from the natural sciences and engineering
Design thinking for developping nature based solutions
Use of analytic tools from bio-medical research
Community health epidemiology
- Puska, P., Salonen, J. T., Tuomilehto, J., Nissinen, A., & Kottke, T. E. (1983). Evaluating community-based preventive cardiovascular programs: Problems and experiences from the North Karelia Project. Journal of community health, 9(1), 49-64.
Use of analytic tools from the human behavioural and social sciences
Participatory multi-criteria analysis
- Andersson-Sköld, Y., Klingberg, J., Gunnarsson, B., Cullinane, K., Gustafsson, I., Hedblom, M., … & Thorsson, P. (2018). A framework for assessing urban greenery’s effects and valuing its ecosystem services. Journal of Environmental Management, 205, 274-285.
Combining scenarios and participatory multi-criteria analysis
Real-world Laboratories
- Beecroft, R., Trenks, H., Rhodius, R., Benighaus, C., & Parodi, O. (2018). Reallabore als Rahmen transformativer und transdisziplinärer Forschung: Ziele und Designprinzipien. In Antonietta Di Giulio and Rico Defila, Transdisziplinär und transformativ forschen. Springer VS, Wiesb, pp. 75-100.
Empirical turn in legal scholarship
Use of analytic tools from the cultural sciences
Environmental humanities