Interdisciplinary problem framing for sustainability: Challenges, a framework, case studies

Interdisciplinarity is a means to integrate knowledge and action for people seeking sustainable natural resource science, management, and policy. We suggest that professionals who integrate via interdisciplinarity aim to create environments where human dignity is maximized and ecosystem functions ar...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of sustainable forestry 2017-07, Vol.36 (5), p.516-534
Main Authors: Clark, Susan G., Palis, Florencia, Trompf, Garry W., Terway, Timothy M., Wallace, Richard L.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Analytic framework
Case studies
Ecosystems
Forestry
Framing
Innovations
interdisciplinarity
Interdisciplinary aspects
knowledge integration
learning
Mapping
Mathematical analysis
problem framing
problem solving
Resource management
Sustainability
Sustainable forestry
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Summary:Interdisciplinarity is a means to integrate knowledge and action for people seeking sustainable natural resource science, management, and policy. We suggest that professionals who integrate via interdisciplinarity aim to create environments where human dignity is maximized and ecosystem functions are maintained. The goals of justice and environmental sustainability are recognized worldwide as overriding goals for humanity. We introduce a practical, analytic framework that can help our sustainability work. This problem-oriented, multi-method, and contextual approach is known as the "policy sciences." It is used in work reported in the Journal of Sustainable Forestry. It is used at the individual and small-team level, and in diverse settings worldwide. Skilled interdisciplinary professionals use it as an explicit, analytic, and systematic approach in framing problems, mapping contexts, and inventing practical solutions for learning and adaptation. However, this framework is not widely known, in part due to complex barriers to using Interdisciplinarity and innovation. Nevertheless, the interdisciplinary approach is used in case studies available to wide audiences. In the end, we contend that interdisciplinarity offers a way to understand seemingly intractable, problematic social and ecological trends, and a way to support the twin goals of justice and sustainability.
ISSN:1054-9811
1540-756X
DOI:10.1080/10549811.2017.1330213