Transdisciplinary research: challenges and recommendations

• Time-Intensive and uncertain. Transdisciplinary research requires significant time and is often unpredictable. In academia, researchers are evaluated based on their publications, yet this type of research does not follow a straightforward path to publishable results. How can a slow-evolving research process with uncertain outcomes be legitimized?
  
• Lack of Integration of Design and Art. Artists and designers are not always effectively integrated into research projects. Their contribution is sometimes limited to a final product, such as an exhibition or installation, without recognizing the creative process itself as a vital part of the research. Yet, it is precisely this interaction between different perspectives that can generate crucial insights—and provide valuable material for research and data collection.
• Different Languages and Goals. Scientists and designers have different ways of working. While scientists focus on knowledge production, designers are often engaged in developing a tangible end product. This difference in approach can lead to misunderstandings if clear agreements are not made about the goals of the collaboration and the relationship between researcher and designer. Are they working alongside each other, or is the designer working under the researcher’s direction? (Surprise—we recommend the first option!)
• Lack of Equal Collaboration. In many projects, a hierarchical structure persists, where researchers view designers or artists as mere executors of a task. This limits true transdisciplinary collaboration, where both parties work together to develop new insights.
• Lack of Methodological Guidelines. Many researchers struggle to structure a transdisciplinary process and to connect different interests and perspectives in a scientifically robust way. This calls for new methodological frameworks and guidance.
• Funding Instruments Are a Poor Fit. While many grant programs emphasize societal impact, they are often not designed for transdisciplinary collaboration. Funding applications require concrete, predictable outcomes, whereas transdisciplinary research is inherently open-ended and process-oriented.

“Interaction between different perspectives can generate valuable insights.”

• Make Clear Decisions About Your Goals. Clearly define early on whether the research focuses on knowledge production, a tangible end product, or both. If expectations are not explicitly aligned, one party may feel unheard, and valuable outcomes may go unused.
• Integrate Scientific Methods into the Design Process. A prototype or co-creation session not only tests a product idea but also has the potential to generate scientific insights. Strategically linking scientific methods to the design process enhances collaboration and enables publishing during the process. Designers and researchers should work together to determine which method fits best at each stage and how it can create value for both research and design.
• Assign an Independent Party to Balance Interests. Transdisciplinary research brings together diverse interests and perspectives. A process facilitator, such as a social designer, can evaluate these interests and continuously align them with the intended goal. While we often combine these roles, they can also be separated—what matters is having someone who strategically weighs and decides. Co-creation does not mean: “everyone gets their way,” but rather: “working together toward the best possible outcome.”
• Create Space for Iteration and Uncertainty. Designers and artists are accustomed to rapidly experimenting and learning from the process. This iterative nature makes design a powerful tool in transdisciplinary collaboration, but it requires a research approach that values not only the end results but also the process itself. By incorporating interim reflection moments, researchers and designers can collaboratively adjust their approach based on new insights.
• Approach Design and Art as an Integral Part of the Project. Design and art are often introduced too late in a research project, reducing them to mere communication tools or superficial additions. When designers and researchers collaborate from the outset—jointly shaping the research design and establishing a methodological connection between disciplines—design can do more than just convey knowledge; it can also help generate it. This transforms design into a fully-fledged research tool rather than just a means of presenting results.

“Recognize the creative process as a fundamental part of the research.”