the positive spin of covering-up failed transdisciplinary implementation willi haas and barbara...
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The positive spin of covering-up failed transdisciplinary implementation
Willi Haas and Barbara SmetschkaInstitute of Social Ecology, ViennaAlpen-Adria University Klagenfurt
Td-conference 2010: Implementation in Inter- and Transdisciplinary
Research, Practice and Teaching
Paper 8.3.
Haas/Smetschka | TD net conf Genf | 17.09.2010 | 2
Institute for Social Ecology, Vienna, SEC
Based in experimentally orientated faculty for interdisciplinary studies, appreciating processes and reflection
Master programme, human and social ecology, ID/TD teaching for 10 years
Society nature interactions at different scales, long term, different world regions
Thematic area Sustainability support: how to intervene into societal self-observation at different scales
Haas/Smetschka | TD net conf Genf | 17.09.2010 | 5
Case study
Disaster destroys Nicobar islands (tsunami 2004)
Research focus: How can science help in promoting wise help and sustainable development? (translational project, funded by Austrian Science Foundation)
Aim: Promote projects which are feasible for local people, local and national government and researchers.
Haas/Smetschka | TD net conf Genf | 17.09.2010 | 6
Please formulate a first research question!
What scientific discipline are you from?
What are the two other disciplines you will need the most?
Place yourself and the representatives of these disciplines vis a vis the research question and each other
What do you expect from each of them?
What can you offer and what are you interested in?
…
Give it a first try …
Societal actions, environ. pressures and ecological limits
Communication interface with Nicobarese
What development options based on Nicobarese needs and interests are possible given ecological limits, financial resources and social structures?
Development options and financial resourcesNeeds
Needs and interests
SocialAnthropologyHouse-
holds
Tribalcouncil
EducationalScience
Social and Cultural Ecology
DevelopmentStudies
InterestsCompatibility with social structures
Sociology
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Excessive demands
Researcher Researcher with T-competence
Researcher with T-competenceworking in teams
Researcher with T-competenceworking in teamswith stakeholders
Researcher with multi-T-competence
From academia: expecting scientific excellence
From funding bodies: demanding overall success
From the field: expecting useful solutions
From within oneself: motivation to make a difference, while not jeopardizing ones career
Increasing from D to ID to TD research
Haas/Smetschka | TD net conf Genf | 17.09.2010 | 9
Covering-up failed td implementation: strategies and their function
Bridging gaps between paragraphs independent in substance by smoothly phrased connections
One-person last-minute tour de force to wrap up td-projects by smart thoughts that point out single aspects from comprehensive but isolated parts
Smooth narratives covering different subjects but not based in disciplines (missing theory and methods)
The use of (scientific) bridging concepts by only cursorily touching disciplines or their subjects
Languageskills
One person show
Leaving science
Shallowbridging concepts
It doesn‘t help to point out failed implementation
It requires an approach that mitigates demands and helps in securing quality
Haas/Smetschka | TD net conf Genf | 17.09.2010 | 10
Complexity: from reductionistic to holistic to dealing with complexity
Coping strategies based on reflection and (self-) observation may finally facilitate a genuine TD process
Bringing results to fruition needs backward planning: what needs to be achieved and what structures and processes are required has to be negotiated with all persons involved from the very beginning.
Learning: in order to teach TD-competencies it is necessary to steer learning processes by providing experience space and inspiring settings
Ecological, economic and social limitations
Communication interface with Nicobarese
Needs based optionsWhat development options based on Nicobarese needs and interests are possible given ecological limits, financial resources and social structures?
Development options and financial resourcesNeeds
Needs and interests
SocialAnthropologyHouse-
holds
Tribalcouncil
EducationalScience
DevelopmentStudies
InvolvementResearch question
Feeding back results
Societal actions, environ. pressures and ecological limits
Social and Cultural Ecology
Sociology
InterestsCompatibility with social structures
Haas/Smetschka | TD net conf Genf | 17.09.2010 | 12
Project constellation
Is a method
based in Systemic Structural Constellations a group simulation procedure developed by Matthias Varga von Kibéd and Insa Sparrer
useful in therapy, consulting and coaching, mediation, and organizational development, as well as to promote creative processes
bringing representatives, locations and free elements into the constellation helps to add temporal and spatial aspects
in equidistance to scientific knowledge and life experience
treating and reaching all persons involved on equal terms
helping to create pictures of the project and foster crucial integration
giving the chance to design a process feasible and useful for all participants
Haas/Smetschka | TD net conf Genf | 17.09.2010 | 13
To deal with complexity: from integration dogma to added value
Being aware of demands and quality dilemma (scientific excellence and/or useful solution)
Reflect and discuss shortcomings and feasible added value Experience in team constellations to enable awareness Find creative ways and use backward planning
Can they help to overcome the need to cover-up and to promote a transdisciplinary process?
Haas/Smetschka | TD net conf Genf | 17.09.2010 | 14
TD-research: walkability of water
Thank you for your attention