A Co-evolutionary, Transdisciplinary Approach to Innovation in Complex Contexts: Improving University Well-Being, a Case Study

van der Bijl-Brouwer, M; Kligyte, G; Key, T

A Co-evolutionary, Transdisciplinary Approach to Innovation in Complex Contexts: Improving University Well-Being, a Case Study

van der Bijl-Brouwer, M Kligyte, G

Key, T

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Publisher:: Elsevier BV
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: She Ji, 2021, 7, (4), pp. 565-588
Issue Date:: 2021-12-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	van der Bijl-Brouwer, M
dc.contributor.author	Kligyte, G https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1422-2504
dc.contributor.author	Key, T
dc.date.accessioned	2022-01-04T00:26:54Z
dc.date.available	2022-01-04T00:26:54Z
dc.date.issued	2021-12-01
dc.identifier.citation	She Ji, 2021, 7, (4), pp. 565-588
dc.identifier.issn	2405-8726
dc.identifier.issn	2405-8718
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/152621
dc.description.abstract	Complex societal challenges cannot be resolved with quick fixes, nor can they be successfully addressed from disciplinary or institutional silos. In this article we propose an innovative approach to tackling contemporary societal challenges based on complexity theory and transdisciplinarity. The lens of complexity reveals that such challenges emerge within complex contexts. Complex challenges cannot simply be resolved, due to their dynamic, non-linear nature. Instead, the complex context itself can be steered in a certain desired direction through iterative action and learning cycles. Transdisciplinary approaches help us understand how different perspectives and ways of knowing held by relevant actors can be combined to serve effective action in complex contexts. We have integrated complexity theory and transdisciplinarity to create a co-evolutionary model of innovation illustrating that who we work with, how we work, and what we learn and create co-evolve over time. We show how an innovation approach based on building a vision and including a reflexive social learning method can provide a guiding structure to this co-evolutionary process. We illustrate this approach with a case study focused on improving the well-being of staff and students at a university. We conclude the paper with implications for design.
dc.language	en
dc.publisher	Elsevier BV
dc.relation.ispartof	She Ji
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1016/j.sheji.2021.10.004
dc.rights	© 2021 Mieke van der Bijl-Brouwer, Giedre Kligyte, and Tyler Key. Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of Tongji University. This is an open access article published under the CC BY-NC-ND license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0). Peer review under responsibility of Tongji University.
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/restrictedAccess
dc.subject	1203 Design Practice and Management, 1402 Applied Economics
dc.title	A Co-evolutionary, Transdisciplinary Approach to Innovation in Complex Contexts: Improving University Well-Being, a Case Study
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	7
utslib.for	1203 Design Practice and Management
utslib.for	1402 Applied Economics
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Provost
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Provost/TD School
utslib.copyright.status	recently_added	*
dc.date.updated	2022-01-04T00:26:53Z
pubs.issue	4
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	7
utslib.citation.issue	4

Abstract:

Complex societal challenges cannot be resolved with quick fixes, nor can they be successfully addressed from disciplinary or institutional silos. In this article we propose an innovative approach to tackling contemporary societal challenges based on complexity theory and transdisciplinarity. The lens of complexity reveals that such challenges emerge within complex contexts. Complex challenges cannot simply be resolved, due to their dynamic, non-linear nature. Instead, the complex context itself can be steered in a certain desired direction through iterative action and learning cycles. Transdisciplinary approaches help us understand how different perspectives and ways of knowing held by relevant actors can be combined to serve effective action in complex contexts. We have integrated complexity theory and transdisciplinarity to create a co-evolutionary model of innovation illustrating that who we work with, how we work, and what we learn and create co-evolve over time. We show how an innovation approach based on building a vision and including a reflexive social learning method can provide a guiding structure to this co-evolutionary process. We illustrate this approach with a case study focused on improving the well-being of staff and students at a university. We conclude the paper with implications for design.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/152621