The concept and application of transdisciplinarity in intellectual discourse and research

Abstract

By orientation transdisciplinarity is an approach that recognises a united and borderless intellectual terrain. It is an attempt to formulate an integrative process of knowledge production and distribution in reaction to the twentieth century narrow discipline focus and hyper-specialisation. It responds to the multi-layered challenges of diffused disciplines, interlinked socio-economic problems, the impact of globalisation, the de-territorialised nation state, technological advancements, environmental concerns, agriculture and food security and health. And it recognises that, in history some of the most revolutionary breakthroughs in science and technology in fact happened on the margins of narrow disciplines.