Navigating between Promises and Realities of Transdisciplinary Research for Environmental Conservation

Abstract

Transdisciplinary approaches combining technical perspectives with qualitative insights from the social sciences and non-academic stakeholders have emerged as a promising way to address the complexity of current socioenvironmental crises. However, transdisciplinary incorporation of diverse interests, knowledge, and worldviews requires acknowledging and addressing inherent inequities. Our case study combines two complementary transdisciplinary studies, the first conducted by a biologist/ecologist being trained in inter- and transdisciplinary methods at the time of the study, applying a quick participatory diagnosis in a fishing community, while the second is conducted by a social scientist studying the research group itself. Our results allow an exploration of the challenges and possibilities of navigating from transdisciplinary ideals to practical implementation. Our findings highlight the importance of nurturing relationships built on care, reciprocity, and openness to address the power imbalances inherent in university-community participatory practices. We suggest that the community’s autonomy and agency can be preserved while actively engaging its members in the transdisciplinary process, alleviating power differences and fostering a collaborative and equitable transdisciplinary framework. Overall, we emphasize the significance of integrating participatory methods, critical reflexivity, and attention to power dynamics in realizing the potential of transdisciplinary approaches for addressing complex conservation challenges and fostering meaningful community engagement.