2025/03/22 by Matthias Kaiser, Peter D. Gluckman · 1 voice
Decision Sciences · Engineering · Medicine · #Biomedical and Engineering Education #Interdisciplinary Research and Collaboration #Science, Research, and Medicine
paper · pdf · doi:10.1007/s11625-025-01631-9
openalex publication_date 2025/03/22 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/23
Abstract This discussion paper addresses the question of why much of our current science is not meeting the needs and societal expectations in addressing many of the complex and ‘wicked problems’ of our times. Many of these are encompassed in the sustainability agenda which is clearly progressing unsatisfactorily. We argue that a widespread transition within the institutions of science to promote transdisciplinary research is needed and that such a move requires also a change in the perception and culture of science. Dominant funding practices, evaluation criteria and assessment metrics are major impediments for a broader engagement in transdisciplinary research. We indicate the kinds of institutional changes that would be needed to address the situation and move toward a better production of actionable knowledge.