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Solving/understanding/evaluating the e-waste challenge through transdisciplinarity?

Lawhon, Mary ; Manomaivibool, Panate LU and Inagaki, Hiromi (2010) In Futures 42(10). p.1212-1221
Abstract
Transdisciplinarity has been accepted as a promising research approach to respond to complex real-world problems such as electronic waste (e-waste). Already one of the fastest growing waste streams, e-waste is a sustainability challenge that shadows the pervasive uses of electronic devices in contemporary society. Previous studies have not only shown the toxicity and risks inherent in the hazardous waste but also economic value generated from its reuse and recycling and the environment justice implications of the existing transboundary movement of e-waste to developing countries. Responding to this multifaceted issue requires a transdisciplinary attempt at synthesis understandings, if not solutions. This paper reflects on an educational... (More)
Transdisciplinarity has been accepted as a promising research approach to respond to complex real-world problems such as electronic waste (e-waste). Already one of the fastest growing waste streams, e-waste is a sustainability challenge that shadows the pervasive uses of electronic devices in contemporary society. Previous studies have not only shown the toxicity and risks inherent in the hazardous waste but also economic value generated from its reuse and recycling and the environment justice implications of the existing transboundary movement of e-waste to developing countries. Responding to this multifaceted issue requires a transdisciplinary attempt at synthesis understandings, if not solutions. This paper reflects on an educational experiment to encourage disciplinary boundary crossing in the e-waste community through a summer school. The NVMP-StEP E-waste Summer School housed young researchers from diverse disciplines with a common research interest in e-waste. The event is evaluated against three sets of criteria that underpin successful transdisciplinary ventures: (i) clear, problem-oriented goals, (ii) careful preparation, institutional support and competent management, and (iii) communication and collaboration. Based on understandings and insights gained from the participation in the Summer School, participant surveys, and communications with

organizers, six recommendations are outlined to help making similar events a better ground for transdisciplinarity in the future. (Less)
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author
; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
Futures
volume
42
issue
10
pages
1212 - 1221
publisher
Elsevier
external identifiers
  • wos:000285823100021
  • scopus:78649718244
ISSN
0016-3287
DOI
10.1016/j.futures.2010.09.002
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
60ca29de-332e-4cca-94cd-a02311a34434 (old id 1731498)
date added to LUP
2016-04-01 13:09:43
date last changed
2022-01-27 17:39:52
@article{60ca29de-332e-4cca-94cd-a02311a34434,
  abstract     = {{Transdisciplinarity has been accepted as a promising research approach to respond to complex real-world problems such as electronic waste (e-waste). Already one of the fastest growing waste streams, e-waste is a sustainability challenge that shadows the pervasive uses of electronic devices in contemporary society. Previous studies have not only shown the toxicity and risks inherent in the hazardous waste but also economic value generated from its reuse and recycling and the environment justice implications of the existing transboundary movement of e-waste to developing countries. Responding to this multifaceted issue requires a transdisciplinary attempt at synthesis understandings, if not solutions. This paper reflects on an educational experiment to encourage disciplinary boundary crossing in the e-waste community through a summer school. The NVMP-StEP E-waste Summer School housed young researchers from diverse disciplines with a common research interest in e-waste. The event is evaluated against three sets of criteria that underpin successful transdisciplinary ventures: (i) clear, problem-oriented goals, (ii) careful preparation, institutional support and competent management, and (iii) communication and collaboration. Based on understandings and insights gained from the participation in the Summer School, participant surveys, and communications with<br/><br>
organizers, six recommendations are outlined to help making similar events a better ground for transdisciplinarity in the future.}},
  author       = {{Lawhon, Mary and Manomaivibool, Panate and Inagaki, Hiromi}},
  issn         = {{0016-3287}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{10}},
  pages        = {{1212--1221}},
  publisher    = {{Elsevier}},
  series       = {{Futures}},
  title        = {{Solving/understanding/evaluating the e-waste challenge through transdisciplinarity?}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.futures.2010.09.002}},
  doi          = {{10.1016/j.futures.2010.09.002}},
  volume       = {{42}},
  year         = {{2010}},
}