Tolksdorf, Farina L. and Weiss, Marie and Jimenez-Aceituno, Amanda and Froelich, Nina Maria and Amoah, Nana Adjoa B. and Lam, David P. M. and Grauer, Claire and Baird, Julia and Ballnat, Corinna and Horcea-Milcu, Andra-Ioana and Koenig, Bettina and Pedersen, Rebecca Laycock and Costa, Maria Manez and Manuel-Navarrete, David and Martin, Dominic A. and McGlynn, Bridget and Mehring, Marion and Muehlthaler, Susanne and Schneider, Flurina and Singer-Brodowski, Mandy and Villalba, Luciano and Weiser, Annika and Lang, Daniel J. (2025) Why context matters: understanding transdisciplinary research through the lens of nine context factors. INNOVATION-THE EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH, 38 (4). pp. 1482-1518. ISSN 1351-1610, 1469-8412
Full text not available from this repository. (Request a copy)Abstract
Transdisciplinary research (TDR) integrates academic and non-academic expertise to co-produce actionable knowledge that contributes to societal impact in addressing sustainability challenges. While context is widely acknowledged as important, the role and definition of context factors shaping TDR remain underexplored. This study develops an integrative understanding of context by synthesising theoretical literature and analysing 17 semi-structured interviews from international TDR case studies. We identify nine key context factors across three categories: outer factors (outside projects), inner factors (within projects), and temporal/ spatial dimensions (project boundaries). These context factors influence collaborative research processes in different ways across projects, requiring ongoing reflexivity and adaptation. Positionality awareness and ethics are central in shaping power dynamics, stakeholder engagement, and knowledge-co-production, highlighting the need for context-sensitive approaches. To support this in a structured way, we present a framework linking context with research design, process, methods and outcomes. Additionally, we provide a set of reflective questions for researchers and practitioners to identify, assess, and respond to contextual influences that shape stainability transformations. By advancing a more systematic understanding of context, this study contributes to building reflexive and inclusive approaches to transdisciplinary collaboration.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | PARTICIPATORY RESEARCH; KNOWLEDGE; CHALLENGES; COMMUNITY; SCIENCE; EXPERIENCES; GOVERNANCE; FRAMEWORK; SUCCESS; SOCIETY; Reflexivity; power dynamics; knowledge co-production; sustainability transformation; collaborative research methods; positionality; research framework |
| Subjects: | 300 Social sciences > 370 Education |
| Divisions: | Human Sciences > Institut für Bildungswissenschaft > Lehrstuhl Bildung für nachhaltige Entwicklung - Prof. Dr. Mandy Singer-Brodowski |
| Depositing User: | Dr. Gernot Deinzer |
| Date Deposited: | 31 Mar 2026 10:23 |
| Last Modified: | 31 Mar 2026 10:23 |
| URI: | https://pred.uni-regensburg.de/id/eprint/67818 |
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