[Unpad.ac.id, 20/09/2016] Transdisciplinary method is a key to the contribution in scientific studies and researches related to sustainability. In addition, participation from stakeholders and synergies between researchers and community are also necessary.
The point was a remark by Prof. Dr. Kazuhiko Takeuchi of the United Nations University, Japan when speaking at as a guest speaker at the 2016 International Sustainability Science Symposium in Bale Sawala Jatinangor, Tuesday (9/20). The symposium will be held until Wednesday (21/09) and present notable speakers, such as Prof. Armida S. Alisjahbana, SE., MA., PhD., (Unpad), Dr. Annete Bos (Monash University), Dr. Mindi Schneider (Erasmus University of Rotterdam), Prof. Dr. Michiel A. Heldeweg, LL.M. (University of Twente), and Sunardi Sudianto, Ph.D. (Unpad).
Prof. Takeuchi explained that interdisciplinary method integrates various disciplines while transdisciplinary method incorporates the disciplines with non-academic parties. Interdisciplinary method develops the integration of theory and scientific knowledge, while transdisciplinary method develops the integration between theory and scientific knowledge and local knowledge in the community.
In line with this, Dr. Mindi Schneider who teaches at the International Institute of Social Studies (ISS) of Erasmus University, Netherlands said that the current focus of sustainability science is the model of separating economic, social, and environmental issues. However, the precision is still questioned .
“Sustainability is not the same as sustainable development. Hence, we propose a model that has more specific categories that involve the community and practitioners, such as agroecology, food sovereignty, and food justice, “said Dr. Schneider.
Agroecology, said Dr. Schneider, is a transdisciplinary science that combines agronomy, horticulture, and ecology. This includes growing agricultural practices in the community as well as social science researches.*
Attachment:
- SDGs and the Global Sustainability Agenda – Prof. Dr. Armida S. Alisjahbana
- Sustainability Science in Higher Education – Prof. Kazuhiko Takeuchi
- Combining Ecology and Sociology for Sustainability Studies – Dr. Mindi Schneider
- Turning Theory into Practice: Turning theory into practice: Interdisciplinarity at Monash – Dr. Annette Bos
Reported by Erman
