Common misconceptions

Transdisciplinary processes can even buffer fundamental research from needing to respond directly to issue-driven problems, and connect conventional research to useful knowledge.

No, consulting is typically a research expert giving advice. Transdisciplinary approaches are more interactive. Societal actors are adding their knowledge to the mix and are part of the research process.

It depends. If you are still interested in engaging with stakeholder knowledge for societal impact, you can be part of a transdisciplinary process where others bring their skills in stakeholder engagement.

Workshops – even virtual ones – are certainly part of most transdisciplinary research projects but they are only one activity that you can undertake across the life cycle of a project.

[See Methods]

Not necessarily. Transdisciplinary research includes a spectrum of approaches and processes. ‘The intensity of interaction between scientific, and societal actors depends on the phase, goals and content of the process and its context’ (Pohl et al. 2017, p.49). The time and attention of your stakeholders is a valuable resource that should be used carefully! There is value in varying the level of involvement of stakeholders and taking time across the life cycle of the project for conventional research and reflection. [See Processes]