Navigating between Complexity and Control in Transdisciplinary Problem Framing: Meaning Making as an Approach to Reflexive Integration

ABSTRACT

Referring to a problem-oriented research mode, transdisciplinarity faces the challenge of dealing with the complexity of real-world problems in a methodologically controlled manner. As the first step in transdisciplinary research, problem framing aims at identifying the problem that will serve as a common orientation point for the subsequent research process. Existing approaches to integrative problem framing seek collaboration of practical and scientific actors in order to develop a common definition of the problem. Such a strategy seems to rely on a unifying mode of integration that levels the diversity of perspectives of the involved actors. This paper presents an alternative approach to integrative problem framing in transdisciplinary research, which is based on a mode of reflexive integration. The corresponding approach of ‘meaning making’ intends to systematically grasp the plurality of perspectives involved and to relate them to an overarching theme. Substantiating and reflecting meaning making based on a research project on sustainability governance in Swiss cantons, the paper argues that meaning making enables a reflexive pathway between complexity and control in transdisciplinary problem framing.

KEYWORDS:

• Transdisciplinarity
• problem framing
• meaning making
• sustainability governance

Acknowledgments

We are indebted to Marlène Schenk for effective support in carrying out the project. Further, we extend our thanks to our project partners from the mentioned Swiss cantons for taking part in the process as well as to the editors of the special issue and two reviewers for their helpful comments.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the ‘Sustainable Development at Universities Programme’ from (former) Swiss University Conference (SUC) under Grant C1-38.

Notes on contributors

Basil Bornemann

Basil Bornemann is a Post-doctoral Researcher and Lecturer at the Sustainability Research Group, University of Basel. He has an interdisciplinary study background in environmental sciences and holds a doctoral degree in political science. His research focuses on sustainability-oriented governance transformations and their democratic implications in various areas such as energy and food. He is further interested in principles and practices of transformative sustainability science.

Marius Christen

Marius Christen is a Post-doctoral Researcher and Lecturer at the Sustainability Research Group, University of Basel. By training a philosopher, he researches on sustainability theory, sustainability governance and inter- and transdisciplinarity. He participates in a transdisciplinary research project on sustainability governance in Swiss Cantons as well as consults public administrations in implementing sustainability.