Why context matters: understanding transdisciplinary research through the lens of nine context factors
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.
Authors
- Dominic A. Martin (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7197-2278)
- Bridget McGlynn (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7656-8485)
- Mandy Singer‐Brodowski (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9176-318X)
- Luciano Villalba (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6937-3783)
- Andra‐Ioana Horcea‐Milcu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1757-6615)
- David Manuel‐Navarrete (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0112-6567)
- Amanda Jiménez-Aceituno (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5950-4751)
- Daniel J. Lang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5435-1488)
- Flurina Schneider (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5368-8169)
- Rebecca Laycock Pedersen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5966-5141)
- María Máñez Costa (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5415-0811)
- Julia Baird (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2580-5361)
- Claire Grauer (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3555-4663)
- David P. M. Lam (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3604-0800)
- Marie Weiss (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8318-2193)
- Annika Weiser (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7348-5753)
- Marion Mehring (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9606-7554)
- Bettina König (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9495-1354)
- Farina L. Tolksdorf
- Susanne Mühlthaler
- Nina Maria Frölich
- Nana Adjoa B. Amoah
- Corinna Ballnat
Institutions
- University of Kassel (DE)
- Leuphana University of Lüneburg (DE)
- Landscape Institute (GB)
- Queensland University of Technology (AU)
- Stockholm University (SE)
- Brock University (CA)
- Lund University (SE)
- Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (AR)
- Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (DE)
- Institute of Technology Assessment (AT)
- Futures Group (United States) (US)
- Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (DE)
- Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development (DE)
- Institute for Social-Ecological Research (DE)
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon (DE)
- Institute for Sustainability (GB)
- Centro de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (AR)
- University of Regensburg (DE)
- Wageningen University & Research (NL)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Innovation The European Journal of Social Science Research
- Published
- 2025-07-12
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1080/13511610.2025.2527104
- Citations
- 2
- Primary Topic
- Sustainability and Climate Change Governance
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 2.21