Transdisciplinary research on environmental governance: A view from the inside
Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
Working effectively across boundaries is a critical skill for researchers focused on environmental governance in complex social-ecological systems, but challenges remain in the acquisition of such skills given the current structure of traditional disciplinary training. In an effort to contribute to improved coordination of research across disciplinary boundaries, we provide an insiders' view based on our experience participating in a two-year transdisciplinary research initiative designed to address the changing nature of environmental governance in the Intermountain West region of the United States. We discuss transdisciplinary research as a promising approach for addressing complex, real-world problems and identify several challenges. We analyze our transdisciplinary research process using the ideas of boundary setting, boundary concepts, and boundary objects. We conclude with reflections and lessons learned, emphasizing the importance of our external boundary setting, the role of funding, and the inexorable link between individual commitment and project success.
Original language | English |
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Journal | Environmental Science and Policy |
Volume | 42 |
Pages (from-to) | 90-100 |
Number of pages | 11 |
ISSN | 1462-9011 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Oct 2014 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:
We gratefully acknowledge comments from two anonymous reviewers and the contributions of Dana Coelho and Ted Toombs. This project was funded by the School of Global Environmental Sustainability at Colorado State University . An earlier version of this paper was presented at the International Symposium on Society and Resource Management, Estes Park, Colorado, June 4–8, 2013.
- Boundary, Collaborative graduate research, Environmental governance, Intermountain West, Transdisciplinary
Research areas
ID: 374848760