Dr Sabine Hoffmann argues that integration is essential for inter- and transdisciplinary research to formulate socially robust responses that cross boundaries of not only different disciplines (ie., interdisciplinary integration), but also research, policy and practice (ie., transdisciplinary integration). She contends that―given the importance of integration―it is surprising that the current academic system does not provide permanent positions for integration experts, ie., experts who lead, administer, manage, monitor, assess, accompany, and/or advise others on integration.

She addresses a number of questions, including: “What are integration experts?”, “What roles do they assume?”, “What personal qualities and expertise do they need?” and “What career challenges do they face?”. The talk concludes by suggesting different ways to support integration experts in building their academic careers.

The seminar by Dr Sabine Hoffmann, Cluster Leader Inter- and Transdisciplinary Research at Eawag (the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology), on “Integrating the integrator! A call for establishing academic careers for integration experts” was presented on September 1, 2022 as part of the NITRO-Oceania (Network of Interdisciplinary and Transdisciplinary Research Organisations in the Oceania region) seminar series. It was co-organised and co-hosted with Monash Sustainable Development Institute. Videos from the series are hosted on i2S-Talks. The direct link to this hour long video is: https://youtu.be/48ru9u-y2ck

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Posted: August 2023
Last modified: August 2023