Transdisciplinary Enrichment of a Linear Research Process: Experiences Gathered from a Research Project Supporting the European Biodiversity Strategy to 2020

Abstract

This paper presents an analysis of a research project conducted by a network of environmental research institutes called Partnership for European Environmental Research (PEER). Our analysis constitutes a reflection on this research project based on a proposed ideal-typical transdisciplinary research process developed by . The aim of the PRESS project (PEER Research on EcoSystem Services) was to provide support for the development and implementation of the EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2020, with a special emphasis on the ecosystem services concept. Our analysis of the research phases of the PRESS project shows that not all of the project elements accord with the notion of a full-scale transdisciplinary process. Despite this, a number of lessons can be learned regarding the use of different boundary objects for knowledge integration and the various roles played by researchers. We also identify some constraints with regard to synchronizing policy and project cycles and consider the advantages and disadvantages of research network structures in facilitating long-term cooperation.

Keywords:

• ecosystem services
• research networks
• knowledge broker
• boundary concept
• science-policy interface

Acknowledgements

We thank interview partners from DG Environment, DG Agriculture and Rural Development, and DG Regional Policy as well as Leon Braat, Michael Hutchins, Sandra Luque Maria Luisa Paracchini, Marta Perez Soba, Ursula Schmitz, Paul Scholefield, Mette Termansen, and Heidi Wittmer for providing very useful insights, ideas, and comments for this manuscript. We thank the PEER network for research funding.

Notes

1 Centre for Ecology & Hydrology.

2 Institut de Recherche en Sémiochimie et Ethologie Appliquée.

3 DCE — Danish Centre for Environment and Energy, Aarhus University, Denmark

4 Finnish Environment Institute.

5 Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research.

6 Institute for Environment and Sustainability of the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre.

7 http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/jrc/index.cfm?id=1370.

8 The Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (short: Framework Programme, FP) is the EU’s main instrument for funding research in Europe.