Transdisciplinarity distinguishes itself from mono-, multi- and inter-disciplinarity in that it – as research methodology – has developed specific principles, practices and methods of co-producing knowledge with social partners when facing real-world problem situations that are too complex to tackle with theoretical knowledge alone.
The Centre for Sustainability Transitions (CST), in collaboration with the Stockholm Resilience Centre (SRC) and Rhodes University, recently hosted a “hackathon” for an exciting new SES Methods website. This new website, expected to be launched mid-2022, is envisioned as a research commons with researchers all over the world working together to create useful resources related to Social-Ecological Systems (SES) methods.
A major UKRI-GCRF funded research project “Supporting transformative adaptation and building equitable resilience to drought for sustainable development” aims to address the question ‘how we can manage droughts in a way to enhance social equity and build resilience at multiple scales?’ Using community-based and participatory research methods in four catchments in Kenya and South Africa, the project puts specific emphasis on marginalised farmers and aspires to understand why and how different social groups respond to and cope with droughts differently.
During our time as students at Stellenbosch University (SU), we have been involved in student activism around climate change. We’ve had numerous discussions on this topic with a range of student societies, the Student Representative Council (SRC) and various staff members.
I recently spent a few weeks at the Lynedoch Eco Village in Stellenbosch. As I experienced the community ties, the infrastructure, and the environmentally friendly alternatives to building and living, I was in awe. Could this be the alternative to dilapidated mined out ghost towns?
