Prof. Prasad M. Jayaweera
Dean, Faculty of Computing – University of Sri Jayewardenepura
“The most complex problems of our world do not belong to any single discipline; therefore, their solutions must emerge from the synergy of many.” The proposed “RISK-OC” could be seen as a promising framework to adopting Transdisciplinary in developing Successful and Lasting Solutions.
The Challenge of Complexity in the Contemporary World
Humanity is facing unprecedented challenges: climate change, biodiversity loss, public health crises, digital transformation, social inequality, and sustainable development. These challenges are not merely technical problems; they are deeply interconnected systems involving social, cultural, political, economic, environmental, administrative, and infrastructural dimensions.
Such challenges possess intrinsic complexity, a multiform character, and a deep underlying unity. Therefore, solutions cannot emerge solely from isolated disciplinary perspectives. They demand a new way of creating knowledge through meaningful synergy amon g disciplines and stakeholders.
The Journey of Scientific Inquiry: From Gaps to New Knowledge
Scientific research is fundamentally a journey from identifying a research gap within the existing Body of Knowledge (BoK) towards proposing a research solution that contributes novel understanding, methods, theories, models, systems, or practical interventions.
However, a research solution alone is not sufficient to establish a contribution to scientific knowledge. A solution must be transformed into a research claim, i.e. a justified assertion explaining what has been achieved, why it matters, and under what conditions it is valid. It is the strength and credibility of such claims that ultimately determine whether a research contribution extends the state-of-the-art knowledge.
Therefore, the scientific inquiry process can be viewed as a progression:
Research Gap → Research Problem → Research Methodology → Research Methods → Research Solution → Research Claims → New Knowledge Contribution to the BoK
The formulation and justification of research claims can be guided by the principles of argumentation. As emphasized in The Craft of Research (Part III), researchers must move beyond merely reporting results to constructing convincing arguments that connect claims with evidence, reasons, and appropriate warrants (pl. visit “Making a Claim and Supporting it”). A strong research argument demonstrates why the proposed solution should be accepted by the scholarly community.
The persuasiveness of a research claim is further strengthened by the classical principles of rhetoric (pl. visit Rhetorical Triangle):
- Logos: The logical reasoning, empirical evidence, and methodological rigor that support the claim.
- Pathos: The ability to communicate the significance, relevance, and societal impact of the research, enabling diverse stakeholders to appreciate why the contribution matters.
- Ethos: The credibility and trustworthiness of the researcher, reflected through scientific integrity, transparency, ethical conduct, and adherence to rigorous research standards.
Therefore, the creation of new knowledge is not merely a technical process of developing solutions; it is also a scholarly process of constructing convincing, evidence-based, and ethically grounded arguments that persuade the research community and society of the value of those solutions.
This perspective is particularly important in interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research, where knowledge is created through the integration of diverse perspectives, and where the acceptance of new solutions depends on transparent argumentation, shared understanding, and the ability to communicate value across disciplinary boundaries.
From Hyperspecialization to Knowledge Integration
Modern science has greatly benefited from hyperspecialization and the separation of concerns. However, while specialization enables deep knowledge acquisition, many realworld problems extend beyond the boundaries of individual disciplines.
The evolution of collaborative research can be viewed as a continuum:
1. Monodisciplinary Research
A single discipline investigates a problem using its own theories, methods, and perspectives. This approach is highly effective for well-bounded problems but limited when addressing complex societal issues.
- Multidisciplinary Research
Multiple disciplines work on the same problem, but often in parallel. Their contributions are juxtaposed rather than integrated.
- Interdisciplinary Research
Disciplines interact, exchange perspectives, and combine theories or methods to create more comprehensive understanding.
- Transdisciplinary Research
Transdisciplinary research goes beyond collaboration among academic disciplines. It creates a shared intellectual space where scientists, practitioners, policymakers, communities, and citizens integrate different knowledge systems to address real-world challenges.
The ultimate goal is not merely the combination of knowledge, but the creation of a common meta-language that enables holistic understanding and transformative action.
The RISK-OC Framework: A Foundation for Transdisciplinary Action
To enable meaningful transdisciplinary research and innovation, the RISK-OC framework brings together six essential dimensions:
Responsible (R) – Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI)
Ensuring that research and innovation are ethically acceptable, socially desirable, inclusive, and aligned with societal values.
Inclusive (I) – Participatory Research, Citizen Science, and Action Research
Recognizing citizens and stakeholders as active contributors to knowledge creation rather than passive beneficiaries.
Sustainability (S) – Sustainability Science
Focusing on long-term environmental, social, and economic sustainability.
Knowledge (K) – Indigenous, Traditional, and Other Knowledge Systems
Valuing diverse ways of knowing and integrating scientific knowledge with local, indigenous, and experiential knowledge.
Open (O) – Open Science and Open Innovation
Moving from closed knowledge ownership towards openness, transparency, collaboration, and broader accessibility.
Collaborative (C) – Collaborative Adaptive Management
Supporting continuous learning, feedback, and adaptation in managing complex socioecological and technological systems.
Structuring Before Transcending: A Practical Path to Integration
Transdisciplinary collaboration should not begin with unstructured discussions. A systematic structure is required to enable meaningful integration.
The proposed W2H Framework provides such a structure by focusing on fundamental aspects rather than disciplinary boundaries:
WHY – Goals and Motivations
Understanding diverse stakeholder needs, concerns, values, and aspirations.
WHAT – Values and Benefits
Identifying the value propositions and expected benefits from different perspectives.
HOW – Operations and Processes
Designing processes, mechanisms, and operational pathways that transform intentions into action.
By focusing on these universal aspects, researchers from different disciplines can establish a shared language while maintaining traceability between problems, goals, solutions, and impacts.
Towards a New Culture of Knowledge Creation
The future of research lies in moving beyond a culture of isolated knowledge ownership towards a culture of openness, inclusiveness, and collective intelligence.
The transition from monodisciplinary, multidisciplinary, and interdisciplinary approaches towards transdisciplinary collaboration is not merely a change in research organization; it represents a transformation in the way humanity understands and solves complex problems.
Sustainable and lasting solutions require the synergy of disciplines, the participation of society, and the integration of diverse knowledge systems.
Only by transcending traditional boundaries can we create the knowledge needed to address the grand challenges of our time.