Triple Bottom Line Scenario Sites as Boundary Objects for Integrating Diverse Disciplines in Convergent Research

Alison V. Deviney, Jehangir H. Bhadha, Lucas Crane, Maude Cuchiara, Shwetha Delanthamajalu, Luciano Gatiboni, Sandra M. Guzman, Christine Ogilvie Hendren, Anna-Maria Marshall, Elise Morrison, Natalie G. Nelson, Jay Rickabaugh, Rosangela Sozzani, Paul Westerhoff and Jacob L. Jones ()
Additional contact information
Alison V. Deviney: Science and Technologies for Phosphorus Sustainability Center, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
Jehangir H. Bhadha: Everglades Research & Education Center, Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences Department, University of Florida, Belle Glade, FL 33430, USA
Lucas Crane: School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA
Maude Cuchiara: Science and Technologies for Phosphorus Sustainability Center, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
Shwetha Delanthamajalu: Department of Sociology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL 61801, USA
Luciano Gatiboni: Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
Sandra M. Guzman: Indian River Research and Education Center, Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Fort Pierce, FL 34945, USA
Christine Ogilvie Hendren: Research Institute for Environment, Energy and Economics, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC 28608, USA
Anna-Maria Marshall: Department of Sociology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL 61801, USA
Elise Morrison: Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, Engineering School of Sustainable Infrastructure and Environment, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
Natalie G. Nelson: Science and Technologies for Phosphorus Sustainability Center, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
Jay Rickabaugh: School of Public and International Affairs, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
Rosangela Sozzani: Science and Technologies for Phosphorus Sustainability Center, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
Paul Westerhoff: School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA
Jacob L. Jones: Science and Technologies for Phosphorus Sustainability Center, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 23, 1-23

Abstract: Today’s challenges with sustainability are driven by complexity, lack necessary information, resist straightforward solutions, span multiple scales, and encompass diverse or sometimes conflicting perspectives. To tackle these issues effectively, research organizations need tools that support and accelerate the integration of disciplinary knowledge across both natural and social sciences so that they can explore and execute workable solutions. Boundary objects are tools that can bring diverse perspectives together through a shared point of focus that is meaningful across different groups and perspectives, enhancing communication between them. Here, we introduce a framework to develop Triple Bottom Line Scenario Sites (TBL Sites) as “convergence” boundary objects and intervention testbeds to support a holistic approach to sustainability research within multidisciplinary and multi-institutional organizations. We describe four key criteria used to identify a potential TBL Site: (1) proximity to researchers, (2) a bounded geographic location encompassing a particular ecosystem, (3) an integrated stakeholder network, and (4) access to existing resources. We explain how TBL Sites may be used to assess research impacts on environmental, economic, and social sustainability goals. Finally, we provide examples of aquatic, agricultural, and urban TBL Sites used by the Science and Technologies for Phosphorus Sustainability (STEPS) Center, demonstrating how these boundary objects facilitate convergence across a large multidisciplinary research team to tackle sustainable phosphorus management.

Keywords: boundary objects; convergence research; ecosystems; phosphorus sustainability; transdisciplinarity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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