Gabriele Bammer

The terms inter- and trans- disciplinarity were proposed in 1970 to categorise a burgeoning set of activities involving disciplinary interactions. These terms are used interchangeably and inconsistently, with clear definitions remaining elusive. In figuring out how to move forward, it’s worth getting a feel for the range of research practices these terms encompass.

Abstract A growing number of inter- and transdisciplinary (ITD) toolkits provide methods, processes, concepts, heuristics, frameworks, and other resources for designing and implementing ITD research. A brief overview of the currently fragmented toolkits landscape is provided, fleshed out through descriptions of four toolkits. Fragmentation means that researchers are unaware of, and do not have access to, the full array of tools that could benefit their investigations.

It seems churlish to criticize the Universities Accord report, when so much in it is game-changing. Yet in setting a blueprint for the long-term reform of Australia’s higher education system, there’s a danger that education and research that are not already well established will languish. My particular concern is the future of transdisciplinarity, where there are many promising initiatives and a sense of momentum, but little that’s embedded and secure.