The Challenge of Transdisciplinary Research: A Case Study of Learning by Evaluation for Sustainable Transport Infrastructures

Robert Axelsson, Magnus Ljung, Malgorzata Blicharska, Michael Frisk, Marianne Henningsson, Grzegorz Mikusiński, Lennart Folkeson, Görgen Göransson, Sofia Jönsson-Ekström, Anders Sjölund, Jan Skoog, Johan Törnblom and Per Angelstam
Additional contact information
Robert Axelsson: Western Visayas Integrated Learning Centre, C/O Robert Axelsson, Schelinska gatan 4, SE-732 32 Arboga, Sweden
Magnus Ljung: Department of Work Science, Business Economics and Environmental Psychology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 234, SE-53223 Skara, Sweden
Malgorzata Blicharska: Natural Resources and Sustainable Development, Department of Earth Sciences, Uppsala University, SE-752 36 Uppsala, Sweden
Michael Frisk: Swedish National Heritage Board, SE-114 84 Stockholm, Sweden
Marianne Henningsson: Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Linnaeus University, SE-391 82 Kalmar, Sweden
Grzegorz Mikusiński: School for Forest Management, Faculty of Forest Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE-739 21 Skinnskatteberg, Sweden
Lennart Folkeson: Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute, SE-581 95 Linköping, Sweden
Görgen Göransson: School of Pure and Applied Natural Sciences, Linnaeus University, SE-391 82 Kalmar, Sweden
Sofia Jönsson-Ekström: Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Linnaeus University, SE-391 82 Kalmar, Sweden
Anders Sjölund: Swedish Transport Administration, SE-781 89 Borlänge, Sweden
Jan Skoog: Swedish Transport Administration, SE-781 89 Borlänge, Sweden
Johan Törnblom: School for Forest Management, Faculty of Forest Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE-739 21 Skinnskatteberg, Sweden
Per Angelstam: School for Forest Management, Faculty of Forest Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE-739 21 Skinnskatteberg, Sweden

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 17, 1-24

Abstract: While transdisciplinary (TD) research is desired in order to solve real world sustainability issues, this may be challenging for both academic and non-academic participants. Supporting learning through evaluation, we analyzed a project aiming at sustainable transport infrastructures. After developing a TD research framework as a benchmark, two external independent evaluators interviewed all project researchers, representatives for end-users, and donors. The evaluators compared results with the framework, and evaluators and participants critically reflected on the results together. There were three inconsistencies relative to the framework: (1) limited understanding of TD research among project management, end-users, and most of the researchers; (2) no structured learning process among end-users; instead, they expressed very diverse opinions about what they expected from the project; (3) project leaders had limited understanding of the special challenges of TD research, did not fully understand the status of the project’s social system, and thus did not act as facilitators of the required collaborative learning process. Non-academic participants saw themselves as customers and not as partners in the knowledge production process. We conclude that TD problem-solving research requires much time and needs facilitation and training. A preparatory phase with a lower level of funding would be helpful in preparing for TD processes.

Keywords: learning through evaluation; research design; researcher–stakeholder collaboration; sustainability; transdisciplinary; sustainable development; transport infrastructure (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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