How to Organise Transdisciplinary Research for Transformative Action and Knowledge Co-Production
Will be published approx. on 16. July 2026
Book
Hardback
240 pages
978-1-0353-4654-7 (ISBN)
Description
This book makes the case for transdisciplinary research as a response to societal, operational and environmental challenges. Exploring new research designs, methods of knowledge production, learning mechanisms and evaluation criteria, leading researchers provide evidence-based guidelines for organising transdisciplinary research.
Examining transdisciplinary research historically, philosophically and contextually, the book evaluates its evolving methodology and quality criteria. Authors demonstrate its practical application in various case studies, such as developing nature-based solutions in education, sustainable farming practices and developmental initiatives in subsistence marketplaces. The synthesis of the case experiences enables researchers to link their concepts, relationships and modes of knowledge production to transformative action, aiding efforts to address complex challenges arising from climate change, biodiversity crises and inclusive growth.
How to Organise Transdisciplinary Research for Transformative Action and Knowledge Co-Production is a key resource for scholars and students of business and management, education, research methods and sociology. It is also prime reading for educators, research funding agencies and management practitioners seeking actionable recommendations on how to implement transdisciplinary research.
Examining transdisciplinary research historically, philosophically and contextually, the book evaluates its evolving methodology and quality criteria. Authors demonstrate its practical application in various case studies, such as developing nature-based solutions in education, sustainable farming practices and developmental initiatives in subsistence marketplaces. The synthesis of the case experiences enables researchers to link their concepts, relationships and modes of knowledge production to transformative action, aiding efforts to address complex challenges arising from climate change, biodiversity crises and inclusive growth.
How to Organise Transdisciplinary Research for Transformative Action and Knowledge Co-Production is a key resource for scholars and students of business and management, education, research methods and sociology. It is also prime reading for educators, research funding agencies and management practitioners seeking actionable recommendations on how to implement transdisciplinary research.
Reviews / Votes
'The range of material covered in this book reflects the depth and importance of transdisciplinary research itself. Grounded in real-world challenges, it is enriched by diverse case studies and culminates in practical guidance for researchers.' -- Ruth Freeman, Taighde Eireann/Research Ireland 'This is an essential read for those of us involved in attempting to address complex, societal challenges. The book provides robust, intellectual underpinnings for drawing on other epistemologies based on experiential and practical knowledge. It moves us from describing wicked problems where multiple, societal challenges are enmeshed and seemingly intractable (viewed through a traditional strategic management lens), to how more iterative, collaborative approaches can be used to address these challenges.' -- John Healy, CEO of Genio, IrelandMore details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Cheltenham
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
College/higher education
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-0353-4654-7 (9781035346547)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Edited by Paul Coughlan, Sheila Cannon and David Coghlan, Trinity Business School, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
Content
Contents
PART I THE RATIONALE FOR TRANSDISCIPLINARY
RESEARCH AND THE STATE OF OUR UNDERSTANDING
Introduction to Part I 2
1 Transdisciplinary research - rationale and relevance 3
Paul Coughlan, David Coghlan and Sheila Cannon
2 Foundations of transdisciplinarity: a review of the literature 11
Sheila Cannon, Paul Coughlan and David Coghlan
3 Underlying philosophy, methodology and methods in
transdisciplinary research 22
David Coghlan, Sheila Cannon and Paul Coughlan
PART II TRANSDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH IN ACTION
Introduction to Part II 39
4 At the intersection of digital technology and society:
embodied knowledge and team science 41
Amrita Nanda and Rattanmeek Kaur
5 Irish Natural Capital Accounting for Sustainable
Environments (the INCASE project): transdisciplinary
research in action 57
Catherine A. Farrell, Daniel Norton, Carl Obst, Cathal
O'Donoghue, Fiona Smith, Lisa Coleman, Mark Eigenraam,
Stephen Kinsella, Mary Kelly-Quinn and Jane C. Stout
6 Unpacking the agora of transdisciplinary knowledge
production: developing Nature-Based Solutions Education 73
Gemma Donnelly-Cox, Conor Dowling and Maria Gallo
7 Transdisciplinary research at the bottom of the pyramid: two
practitioner-led initiatives in subsistence marketplaces 88
Ronika Chakrabarti and Ronald Duncan 0000-0001-8091-279
8 Exploring lean implementation through a transdisciplinary lens 108
Henrik Saabye and Daryl Powell
9 Using design theory to support transdisciplinary research on
antimicrobial use in sustainable farming 126
Pascal Le Masson, Juliette Brun, Christian Ducrot, Gwenael
Vourc'h and Benoit Weil
10 Connecting Nature Framework: learnings from longitudinal
application of co-production and reflexive monitoring as
transdisciplinary approaches to implementation of nature-
based solutions 150
Siobhan McQuaid and Marcus Collier
11 Change and transformation in international development
cooperation: assemblage thinking, transdisciplinary research
design and the curious case of localisation 166
Susan P. Murphy and Ruby Paterson
PART III SYNTHESIS AND IMPLEMENTATION GUIDELINES
Introduction to Part III 183
12 Transdisciplinary research in action: a synthesis 184
Paul Coughlan, Sheila M. Cannon, David Coghlan, Ronika
Chakrabarti and Desiree van Dun
13 Implementation guidelines for transdisciplinary research 208
Paul Coughlan, Sheila Cannon, David Coghlan and Desiree van Dun
PART I THE RATIONALE FOR TRANSDISCIPLINARY
RESEARCH AND THE STATE OF OUR UNDERSTANDING
Introduction to Part I 2
1 Transdisciplinary research - rationale and relevance 3
Paul Coughlan, David Coghlan and Sheila Cannon
2 Foundations of transdisciplinarity: a review of the literature 11
Sheila Cannon, Paul Coughlan and David Coghlan
3 Underlying philosophy, methodology and methods in
transdisciplinary research 22
David Coghlan, Sheila Cannon and Paul Coughlan
PART II TRANSDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH IN ACTION
Introduction to Part II 39
4 At the intersection of digital technology and society:
embodied knowledge and team science 41
Amrita Nanda and Rattanmeek Kaur
5 Irish Natural Capital Accounting for Sustainable
Environments (the INCASE project): transdisciplinary
research in action 57
Catherine A. Farrell, Daniel Norton, Carl Obst, Cathal
O'Donoghue, Fiona Smith, Lisa Coleman, Mark Eigenraam,
Stephen Kinsella, Mary Kelly-Quinn and Jane C. Stout
6 Unpacking the agora of transdisciplinary knowledge
production: developing Nature-Based Solutions Education 73
Gemma Donnelly-Cox, Conor Dowling and Maria Gallo
7 Transdisciplinary research at the bottom of the pyramid: two
practitioner-led initiatives in subsistence marketplaces 88
Ronika Chakrabarti and Ronald Duncan 0000-0001-8091-279
8 Exploring lean implementation through a transdisciplinary lens 108
Henrik Saabye and Daryl Powell
9 Using design theory to support transdisciplinary research on
antimicrobial use in sustainable farming 126
Pascal Le Masson, Juliette Brun, Christian Ducrot, Gwenael
Vourc'h and Benoit Weil
10 Connecting Nature Framework: learnings from longitudinal
application of co-production and reflexive monitoring as
transdisciplinary approaches to implementation of nature-
based solutions 150
Siobhan McQuaid and Marcus Collier
11 Change and transformation in international development
cooperation: assemblage thinking, transdisciplinary research
design and the curious case of localisation 166
Susan P. Murphy and Ruby Paterson
PART III SYNTHESIS AND IMPLEMENTATION GUIDELINES
Introduction to Part III 183
12 Transdisciplinary research in action: a synthesis 184
Paul Coughlan, Sheila M. Cannon, David Coghlan, Ronika
Chakrabarti and Desiree van Dun
13 Implementation guidelines for transdisciplinary research 208
Paul Coughlan, Sheila Cannon, David Coghlan and Desiree van Dun