A guide to the social study of science and technology within the context of transdisciplinary research: challenges, pitfalls and optimism

• In Event: TRANS-disciplinary Research Through STS Practice

Abstract

Across the globe complex issues are redefining people’s relation to each other and the world around them. Researchers from different disciplines are increasingly working to jointly create new conceptual, methodological and translational innovations that go beyond disciplinary specific approaches to address the critical issues at hand – such an exercise is one in transdisciplinary research. By utilising an autoethnographic methodology, we outline our experiences of engaging in transdisciplinary research. The first example examines a research team investigating stem cell tourism, whereby patients would travel overseas for unproven stem cell therapies, undertaken as part of an Australian Research Council Discovery grant. The second example examines a research team undertaking research on innovation and emerging technologies in the construction industry, as part of an initiative called the National Science Challenge in New Zealand. Based upon our research experiences we consider what it means for anthropologists, sociologists, scientists, engineers and feminist scholars to have worked together. We also highlight the central role communication plays in conveying science to the public and other researchers, and the duty of care to research participants to know what to say, how to say it, and what not to say. We outline difficulties in how research data can used in dissemination and the different ways research must speak to competing audiences such as academia, industry and government. Reflecting on our transdisciplinary research experiences, we seek to highlight the opportunities, challenges and reality of collaboration in order to create meaningful change in the world and outline some strategies to help other researchers engage in transdisciplinary research.

Authors

• Casimir MacGregor, BRANZ

• Claire Tanner, The University of Melbourne