Interdisciplinary Themes in Food and Sustainability (YSS33806)
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Summary Interdisciplinary Themes in Food and Sustainability (YSS33806) (2020/2021)
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Interdisciplinary Themes in Food and Sustainability (YSS33806)
Institution
Wageningen University (WUR)
This is a comprehensive summary of the course “Interdisciplinary Themes in Food and Sustainability”. Substance from the various lessons and related literature have been incorporated into it. In addition, an example has been given several times for certain literature that can seem abstract for m...
Interdisciplinary Themes in Food and Sustainability (YSS33806)
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YSS-33806
Summary Interdisciplinary themes in food and sustainability
1
,Lecture 1: Introduction on Multi/Inter/Transdisciplinary (27/10/2020)
What is an interdisciplinary theme?
• Theme that requires the use and (some kind and level of) integration of knowledge from
different disciplines
• Disciplinary: research within a single academia
• Interdisciplinary: (multidisciplinary) research within multiple academia
• Transdisciplinary: research goes beyond academia and involves stakeholders from policy, civil
society, etc.
• Differences:
Transdisciplinary is the input from researchers but also other stakeholders!!
Why inter- and transdisciplinary research are needed?
• Answer 1: To prevent partial understandings of complex systems and processes
• Answer 2: Many of todays societal problems are
2
, o both technical and social
o complex and systemic
o cannot be solved by one actor alone
• Answer 3: To enable the realization of the SDGs:
o World leaders gathered in New York in Sept 2015 to endorse the Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs): ‘paradigm shift for people and the planet’ (UN 2014: para.
24).
o Businesses, government and civil society actors are equally responsible for progressing a
more sustainable path forward.
So: interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research are needed in order to graps difficult concepts,
problems and find suitable and associated solutions! But is it also realistic and rewarding?
• Barriers and risks of interdisciplinary research
1. Ontological and epistemological differences
- (Difference research paradigms may limit the understanding of the other thus
common ground may be lacking)
2. Institutional and personal incentive-structures
- (individuals have different drives and values which could come in contrast!
3. Loss of disciplinary innovation and depth?
- (a combination of various academia could result in that a certain subject may not be
researched to a specific extent)
4. Sliding in safe modus of multi-disciplinary research
▪ Selecting umbrella concepts that ring a bell with both natural and social sciences: systems,
flows, pathways is crucial in order to find common ground!!
▪ Done by e.g. selecting senior researchers who have a record in interdisciplinary research
Preconditions for interdisciplinary research
1. Recognizing and respecting different ideas on the nature of things and the kind of knowledge
that is needed to understand the nature of things
2. Time, willingness + incentives to engage in process of co-creation and new generation of
knowledge
3. Shared ideas on value and use of disciplinary knowledge in interdisciplinary research (T-
shape)?
4. Identifying umbrella concepts (Key to find common grounds)
Different forms of incorporating scientific knowledge:
3
, Risks and barriers of transdisciplinary research (involving stakeholders)
1. Open or hidden controversy over primacy of science vs primacy of practitioners
2. Different drivers and incentives between academics and practioners:
• Scientists want to produce articles and PhD projects vs. practitioners want to solve
problems
• Scientists are interested in theory development, vs. practitioners in transforming
society
• Scientists want to understand complexity, vs. practitioners want to find solutions
3. Differences in terms of input and time for research
4. Lack of trust or time to build trust and develop common understandings
Pre-conditions for transdisciplinary research
1. Time, willingness and incentives to engage in a process of co-creating knowledge throughout
all phases of research
2. Identifying bridging concepts, like: (Logical!) → common ground on something!
● Value chains, value propositions, shared value creation?
● Socio-Ecological Systems (SES) thinking and concepts:
● Resilience?
● Risk and risk assessment?
● Triggers, game-changers or leverages towards transformational change
● Small wins towards systemic change? (the concrete steps towards change!)
Major lesson, major principles for interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research and development
to succeed:
● Recognition and respect for different knowledge systems is required
● Some kind of umbrella or bridging concept is needed to guide process of knowledge
co-creation
● Institutional and personal incentive structures need to be (made) compatible
Why focus on Responsible Business Conduct (RBC)?
4
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