Transdisciplinary Research (TDR): Building Excellence in Research Communities

Abstract

A recent study by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) highlighted the significant need to focus on Transdisciplinary Research (TDR), stating that “different scientific disciplines, including natural and social sciences and humanities (SSH) need to work together and to fully engage other public and private sector actors, including policy-makers. Solutions to complex societal challenges, such as those embedded in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), cannot to be generated based solely on disciplinary research but require a paradigm shift in research practice.” 

Coventry University invites the entire research community to this event, which seeks to provide a practical insight from research experts as to how TDR can be implemented. The event will spotlight successful project examples of TDR, whilst featuring keynote speakers from Higher Education Institutions.  

TDR provides a powerful mechanism for combining different branches of knowledge and practice to develop social and technological solutions. It can also address complex problems beyond the reach of traditional science by expanding on existing scientific evidence and giving rise to more innovative, holistic solutions, offering a practical way to address contemporary issues. TDR can generate both new scientific insights and practical societal benefits.  

However, despite increasing interest in TDR at policy level, there are significant barriers to conducting rigorous TDR within Higher Education Institutions. During this workshop, we will discuss the ambitions of TDR across the sector, which the OECD study states to be “to achieve a common goal, involving the creation of new knowledge and theory. TDR criss-crosses the traditionally separated realms of science and practice and advances both simultaneously.”

Agenda