Applying Transdisciplinary Engineering (TE) Design Research Methodology to the Challenge of Managing Decision Support Tool Performance

Abstract

Over the past few decades there has been increasing dialogue around transdisciplinary (TD) research. However, within engineering it has received less attention and there remains a lack of consensus over both the definition, and the methods through which to conduct transdisciplinary engineering (TE). Within this paper we describe and outline the salient points of TD and the Design Research Methodology (DRM) and create a proposal to combine the two. A case study of National Grid Electric Transmissions (NGET) demonstrates application. The case study shows that through TE DRM a conceptual process for managing decision support tool (DST) performance is created. This process integrates academic and non-academic perspectives. Evaluation, by NGET subject matter experts found the process to be logical and useable within NGET, with approval given to proceed to implementation. Conclusions find that application of TE DRM increases the possibility of industry uptake and the potential impact of academic research.

Understanding Transdisciplinary Engineering in Public Policy: A Survey of Policy Actors’ Perceptions of Engineering Expertise

“…[4]). These include being 'agenda driven' (or as Lattanzio et al put it 'undertak [ing] research which has social benefit' [5]), 'integration … of knowledge from different disciplines' and 'involves non-academic participants' [3]. This latter definition, when integrated with the ideas of agendas and social impact, mean that policy actorsi.e., those working in or for public policy institutions such as central or local government and associated bodies -are a key participant in the deployment of TE practice.…”