Stepping stone or stumbling block? : Mode 2 knowledge production in sustainability science
(2015) In Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part C: Studies in History and Philosophy of Biological and Biomedical Sciences- Abstract
- The concept of Mode 2 was developed in order to further our understanding of processes of knowledge production taking place between and beyond disciplinary structures (inter- and transdisciplinary processes) and “in a context of application”. The concept has often been seen as especially applicable to fields addressing grand challenges, such as cli- mate change, poverty eradication, and global health. Being a relatively new field—interdisciplinary in its approach, and focused on addressing such issues—sustainability science would appear to be a case in point. The aim of this paper is twofold: 1) to explore the perceived relation be- tween Mode 2 and sustainability science, and 2) to advance the discussion of Mode 2 from a philosophical... (More)
- The concept of Mode 2 was developed in order to further our understanding of processes of knowledge production taking place between and beyond disciplinary structures (inter- and transdisciplinary processes) and “in a context of application”. The concept has often been seen as especially applicable to fields addressing grand challenges, such as cli- mate change, poverty eradication, and global health. Being a relatively new field—interdisciplinary in its approach, and focused on addressing such issues—sustainability science would appear to be a case in point. The aim of this paper is twofold: 1) to explore the perceived relation be- tween Mode 2 and sustainability science, and 2) to advance the discussion of Mode 2 from a philosophical perspective. To address these questions we focus on three characteristic features of Mode 2: the notion of a distinct, but evolving framework; boundary crossing; and a problem solving capacity “on the move”. In particular we discuss the descrip- tive and normative implications of Mode 2 and different understandings of the Mode 2 framework. We report the results of a survey carried out amongst leading sustainability scientists in which they answered questions on Mode 2 and sustainability science. The survey gives insight into both their perception of Mode 2 and their perception of their own field of sustainability science, as well as on the relation between the two. In our analysis, we emphasize the free text answers. These reveal a tension within the field of sustainability science; with developments both to- wards Mode 1 and Mode 2 science as well as towards a more unificationist interpretation. To further complicate the picture, there would also seem to be a tension in the interpretations of Mode 2, and we conclude that the implementation of inter- and transdisciplinarity is challenged by institutional and conceptual factors alike. Even though it is not impossible to achieve; inter- and transdisciplinarity seem to represent a great challenge in itself and the answer as to whether or not inter- and transdisciplinarity is the (sole) solution to the grand challenges of today is likely to be more complex than is generally acknowledged. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
https://lup.lub.lu.se/record/5047254
- author
- Thorén, Henrik LU and Breian, Line
- organization
- publishing date
- 2015-12-10
- type
- Contribution to journal
- publication status
- published
- subject
- keywords
- sustainability science, Mode 2 knowledge production, transdisciplinarity
- in
- Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part C: Studies in History and Philosophy of Biological and Biomedical Sciences
- publisher
- Elsevier
- external identifiers
-
- pmid:26686900
- scopus:84949664066
- pmid:26686900
- ISSN
- 1369-8486
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.shpsc.2015.11.002
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- id
- 2deaf38f-ddfe-4828-b34b-c3cf3086edad (old id 5047254)
- date added to LUP
- 2016-04-01 10:29:34
- date last changed
- 2022-04-27 22:36:19
@article{2deaf38f-ddfe-4828-b34b-c3cf3086edad,
abstract = {{The concept of Mode 2 was developed in order to further our understanding of processes of knowledge production taking place between and beyond disciplinary structures (inter- and transdisciplinary processes) and “in a context of application”. The concept has often been seen as especially applicable to fields addressing grand challenges, such as cli- mate change, poverty eradication, and global health. Being a relatively new field—interdisciplinary in its approach, and focused on addressing such issues—sustainability science would appear to be a case in point. The aim of this paper is twofold: 1) to explore the perceived relation be- tween Mode 2 and sustainability science, and 2) to advance the discussion of Mode 2 from a philosophical perspective. To address these questions we focus on three characteristic features of Mode 2: the notion of a distinct, but evolving framework; boundary crossing; and a problem solving capacity “on the move”. In particular we discuss the descrip- tive and normative implications of Mode 2 and different understandings of the Mode 2 framework. We report the results of a survey carried out amongst leading sustainability scientists in which they answered questions on Mode 2 and sustainability science. The survey gives insight into both their perception of Mode 2 and their perception of their own field of sustainability science, as well as on the relation between the two. In our analysis, we emphasize the free text answers. These reveal a tension within the field of sustainability science; with developments both to- wards Mode 1 and Mode 2 science as well as towards a more unificationist interpretation. To further complicate the picture, there would also seem to be a tension in the interpretations of Mode 2, and we conclude that the implementation of inter- and transdisciplinarity is challenged by institutional and conceptual factors alike. Even though it is not impossible to achieve; inter- and transdisciplinarity seem to represent a great challenge in itself and the answer as to whether or not inter- and transdisciplinarity is the (sole) solution to the grand challenges of today is likely to be more complex than is generally acknowledged.}},
author = {{Thorén, Henrik and Breian, Line}},
issn = {{1369-8486}},
keywords = {{sustainability science; Mode 2 knowledge production; transdisciplinarity}},
language = {{eng}},
month = {{12}},
publisher = {{Elsevier}},
series = {{Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part C: Studies in History and Philosophy of Biological and Biomedical Sciences}},
title = {{Stepping stone or stumbling block? : Mode 2 knowledge production in sustainability science}},
url = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.shpsc.2015.11.002}},
doi = {{10.1016/j.shpsc.2015.11.002}},
year = {{2015}},
}