Lessons From the Trenches: Students’ Perspectives of Their Own Marine Transdisciplinary Education
Megan N. Wilson
Adrian E. Laufer2,3 
Erin M. Howard
Jennifer A. T. K. Wong-Ala- 1Integrative Biology Department, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
- 2School of Public Policy, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
- 3Oregon Coastal Management Program, Department of Land Conservation and Development, Salem, OR, United States
- 4Statistics Department, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
- 5College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
Recent environmental changes have demonstrated that the Earth has entered the Anthropocene. In this new age, complex interactions between human and natural systems exacerbate “wicked problems” that challenge researchers to engage both deep disciplinary expertise and broad integrative knowledge to address these societally relevant problems. Researchers and practitioners are making an increased effort to bridge the divide between human and natural systems research by facilitating multi-, inter-, and transdisciplinary collaborations. Despite 21st century changes to the research environment, the structure of a typical graduate education remains largely unchanged over the past several decades. Wicked problems necessitate communication and collaboration expertise; innovative transdisciplinary training and research opportunities can equip graduate students with these necessary skills. Oregon State University has offered such an opportunity through an NSF-funded Research Traineeship Program (NRT) for students focusing on Risk and Uncertainty Quantification and Communication in Marine Science. Herein, we reflect on the experience of graduate students who successfully completed the NRT and assert that support for transdisciplinary training and research at the graduate stage is urgently needed. We present five lessons learned from our year-long transdisciplinary project focused on the development of an approach for integrating diverse data sets within a social-ecological systems framework to reach a broader understanding of the interconnections between a marine reserve system, people, and the environment. Finally, we present current challenges and paths forward to enhance the success of early career transdisciplinary research.
Introduction
Growing populations, large-scale industrialization, increased consumption, and globalization of human systems have drastically altered interconnections between society and the environment. These changes have given rise to the Anthropocene, characterized by global, human-caused environmental changes (Lewis and Maslin, 2015). Complex interconnections currently span multiple scales and systems, intensifying wicked problems: persistent issues that span multiple dimensions (e.g., environment, economics, and human activity), and require collaborative problem-solving (Rittel and Webber, 1973; Jentoft and Chuenpagdee, 2009). The marine environment is rife with wicked problems due to an incomplete understanding of the interconnections between highly dynamic dimensions (e.g., a variable and changing ocean, limited resource pool, and multiple user/knowledge holder groups). Many examples of these wicked problems are globally recognized for their complexity, and include the threats of ocean acidification, prevalence of microplastics, and the sustainability of fisheries (United Nations (UN), 2015).
Traditional disciplinary methods provide a one-dimensional understanding of these complex challenges; this limited perspective is often insufficient to develop effective societal solutions. Therefore, applied scientists, managers, and policymakers are increasingly focused on coordinating collaborative strategies that align multiple knowledge systems at the intersection of multiple dimensions (Blickley et al., 2013). Despite the clear and urgent need for boundary-crossing research, most graduate programs continue to focus on developing deep disciplinary expertise (Ciannelli et al., 2014). As a result, graduate students often lack the necessary skills to integrate across different disciplines and knowledge types, collaborate with non-academics, and pursue diverse career paths (Campbell et al., 2005). A recent report on the status of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics graduate education identified that graduate students are increasingly interested in pursuing careers outside of academia (e.g., government, policy) or working beyond disciplinary interfaces but are lacking the necessary collaboration and communication skills (Cyranoski et al., 2011; Alberts et al., 2014; National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM), 2018).
In this context, we present the experiences of four graduate students who participated in a National Science Foundation transdisciplinary research traineeship program at Oregon State University (OSU). Our team consisted of four graduate students representing disciplinary expertise in ecology, statistics, public policy, and fisheries oceanography. Though each student brought a different perspective to the team (e.g., personal biases, educational background, career path, and degree timeline), we reflected on the context in which we each came to the project and identified the shared vision of incorporating transdisciplinary processes into our dissertations, theses, and future careers. Our experiences illustrate the benefits of early exposure to transdisciplinary research and provide suggestions for the continued implementation of transdisciplinary programs, both of which are necessary to solve wicked problems. In the paper, we summarize differences between disciplinary, multi-, inter-, and transdisciplinary research, present five lessons learned along our path to transdisciplinarity, and reflect on two challenges that underscore the importance of collaboration and communication training. We hope that sharing these experiences will reduce obstacles for future transdisciplinary endeavors, especially those focused on human-natural systems in marine environments.
A Spectrum of Integration
Variation in the amount of integration across dimensions exists on a spectrum ranging from disciplinary to transdisciplinary research (Klein, 1990; Rosenfield, 1992). Literature outlines four distinct levels of collaboration along this spectrum: disciplinary, multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary, and transdisciplinary (Table 1; Klein, 2014). We define transdisciplinary research as different academic disciplines working together with non-academic collaborators (e.g., stakeholders, practitioners, and tribal nations resource managers) to integrate knowledge and methods to develop and accomplish co-created research goals under one unified conceptual framework (drawing from Stember, 1991; Rosenfield, 1992; Tress et al., 2005; Lang et al., 2012; Mauser et al., 2013; Ciannelli et al., 2014; Kelly et al., 2019). Transdisciplinarity is particularly useful to a research process when the goal is to solve complex or “real-world” problems (Stokols, 2014; Lemos et al., 2018). Additionally, transdisciplinary collaboration may increase in importance as recent societal disruptions impose novel challenges to graduate degree requirements (e.g., COVID-19; Pardo et al., 2020).
Table 1. Spectrum of integration across disciplinary, multi-, inter-, and transdisciplinary collaboration with associated definitions, supporting references, and examples.
Transdisciplinary Training for Graduate Students
Oregon State University was awarded a grant through the National Science Foundation Research Traineeship Program (hereafter called the NRT) to support transdisciplinary graduate education, facilitate collaborative research, and explore “Risk and Uncertainty Quantification and Communication in Marine Sciences.” The NRT aims to engage graduate students in education, professional experiences, and research to address wicked problems in marine systems. Each academic year, the NRT faculty select graduate students who have been in an existing academic program for at least 1 year, and place them, based on their research interests, into transdisciplinary research teams. These teams participate in a year-long training program composed of four elements: (1) an intensive field course, (2) a graduate specialization in risk and uncertainty, (3) an internship, and (4) a collaborative research project culminating in a transdisciplinary report (authored by all the students in the group) and individual interdisciplinary thesis chapters. Training components are centered on three core concepts that are used to characterize wicked problems in the marine environment: Risk and Uncertainty, Big Data, and Coupled Human-Natural Systems.
The NRT recognizes that navigating the pathway to transdisciplinarity is challenging and takes specific action to minimize barriers (Andrews et al., 2020). The research project and the internship facilitate experiential learning and are valuable opportunities for students to develop new skills, build confidence, and make professional connections that support their future career goals. Additionally, the NRT connects graduate students to mentors with diverse interests, disciplines, and identities. For graduate students, especially those interested in interdisciplinary research, a successful education depends on the student-faculty relationship (Ellis, 1992; Andrews et al., 2020), and the most effective mentors have experiences in diverse contexts and relationships (Thomas et al., 2007). NRT students are supported by all faculty members engaged in the program, representing over 20 subdisciplines and a variety of career paths.
The NRT in Retrospect
Our team was initially assigned with integrating data from ecological, human, and oceanographic dimensions to holistically explore the effects of marine protected areas (MPAs) on ecosystems and communities. An MPA is a clearly defined geographical space, recognized, dedicated, and managed to achieve the long-term conservation of nature with associated ecosystem services and cultural values (IUCN WCPA, 2018). Beginning in 2012, Oregon has been implementing MPAs as part of the coastal management strategy. To study these areas, we collaborated with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Marine Reserves Program (MRP), a state agency who manages Oregon’s 11 MPAs. We focused on the five MPAs that prohibit all development and extraction; these are considered fully protected and are hereafter referred to as marine reserves (Lubchenco and Grorud-Colvert, 2015). The goals of Oregon’s marine reserve system are threefold: (1) to conserve marine habitats and biodiversity, (2) to serve as scientific reference sites, and (3) to avoid adverse impact to ocean users and coastal communities (Oregon Ocean Policy Advisory Council, 2008). To meet these goals, the MRP employs a variety of scientific tools to monitor the ecological, human, and oceanographic dimensions of the reserve system over time. Marine reserves are dynamic systems that exist at the intersection of ecology, policy, social science, oceanography, and economics, necessitating that our team take an approach that incorporates multiple perspectives and transcends disciplinary boundaries. In our team’s partnership with the MRP, we sought to define mutually informative research questions, to develop an approach that could be used to integrate diverse data sets, and ultimately, to contribute to a broader understanding of the interconnections between the marine reserve system, people, and the environment. We achieve this through the development of three tools: a social-ecological system (SES) framework specific to the Oregon marine reserve system, exploratory data visualization of broad trends, and a flexible modeling tool for complex interactions. In this section, we highlight key lessons learned through this transdisciplinary process (Table 2).
Table 2. Benefits, challenges, and supporting practices for five key lessons learned during a year-long, student-led transdisciplinary research project.
Lesson #1: Appreciate Process and Retain Flexibility in Outcomes and Products
Many research environments strongly emphasize end-products (e.g., peer-reviewed publications; Goring et al., 2014). In contrast, the structure of the NRT placed emphasis on training and process and provided funding and support for flexible outcomes. This shift in focus is a key enabling condition for transdisciplinary processes (Lang et al., 2012; Angelstam et al., 2013; Brandt et al., 2013); it allowed our team to experiment with different research approaches before agreeing upon research goals and meaningful outcomes. For example, at an advanced stage of our project we recognized that data limitations and system complexities weakened the strength of our methodological approach. Additionally, our team’s partnership with a state agency required mutual investment in relationship-building, which is often challenged by timelines and processes that differ between academics and practitioners (Brandt et al., 2013). These experiences took time; however, we understood from the outset that the significant value added from our transdisciplinary endeavor lays in the process of drawing from multiple dimensions, engaging with practitioners, and maintaining societal relevance (Lang et al., 2012). We suggest that research modifications and relationship building be viewed not as detours that detract from progress toward a fixed product, but instead as necessary elements of transdisciplinary process, and that timeline flexibility is built in accordingly.
Lesson #2: Shared Conceptual Frameworks Inspire Meaningful Communication and Integration
A fundamental challenge of transdisciplinary research is integrating different types of knowledge, experience, evidence, and data to clearly frame a project and co-create research questions with practitioners (Jahn et al., 2012; Lang et al., 2012). Our team identified that using a shared conceptual framework as a shared point of reference, or boundary object (Gorman, 2002), was key. Because our project focused on the ecological, human dimensions, and oceanographic aspects of marine reserves, we used Ostrom’s SES framework (Ostrom, 2009) as the grounding theory and boundary object (as in Gurney et al., 2019) for our work, though many other SES frameworks exist (see review by Binder et al., 2013). Ostrom’s framework has been applied to several marine systems (e.g., Cinner et al., 2012; Leslie et al., 2015; Martone et al., 2017; Botto-Barrios and Saavedra-Díaz, 2020) and suggests that analyzing the sustainability of an SES requires the description of core subsystems (e.g., Resource Units, Resource System, Governance System, and Users), their interactions, outcomes, and larger ecosystem or socio-political context. Our team coalesced existing data streams from various agencies and institutions (see Lesson #3: Exploratory data visualization is a powerful method for characterizing broad trends) relevant to the Oregon Marine Reserves SES. Through iterative conversations that transcended each of our epistemologies, we reached consensus about the placement of each data stream within the framework. The significance of this process and product lies in the ability to align diverse data sets, investigate novel interconnections, identify areas for future data collection, and co-create research questions with MRP.
Lesson #3: Exploratory Data Visualization Is a Powerful Method for Characterizing Broad Trends
Transdisciplinary research commonly encounters different types and spatiotemporal scales of data. Our team utilized several datasets related to the marine reserve system: qualitative and quantitative human dimensions data (e.g., wellbeing), ecological data (e.g., species diversity), and oceanographic data (e.g., temperature). Data were collected on seasonal (e.g., visual surveys), annual (e.g., census), and opportunistic (e.g., workshops) time scales, and at different spatial scales ranging from single locations (e.g., oceanographic moorings) to coast-wide (e.g., upwelling). Identifying available features in the data and hypothesizing what relationships may exist can provide a starting point for constructing visualizations. Our team learned that data visualization is an iterative, time-intensive process that facilitates the transdisciplinary process by generating discussion about variable types, spatio-temporal scales, and questions of interest between researchers and practitioners. We found exploratory data visualization to be productive methodological starting point and we propose that it be used as a standardized approach in transdisciplinary research (Brandt et al., 2013).
Many frameworks that evaluate ecological or social change over time require a time-series of predictor and response variables with sufficient replication over space and time to identify statistically significant differences. Our team studied a relatively new marine reserve system with developing monitoring capacity. Marine reserve literature suggested that we should not expect to find statistically significant evidence for change over this time period (Micheli et al., 2004; Babcock et al., 2010; Gill et al., 2017; Nickols et al., 2019). Thus, we focused on high-level integration and asked broad questions (e.g., “What is the effect of the marine reserves system on people and the environment?”). Accordingly, we aggregated data to a high level at the expense of statistical power. We identified broad patterns and trends which were important tools for engaging with experts, eliciting multiple perspectives, and achieving a more holistic understanding of the system. These conversations could then be used to inform future, more specific, research projects where statistically significant evidence is more appropriate. We suggest that transdisciplinary teams dedicate time early in their process to discuss the scale of their questions, appropriate levels of data aggregation, and expectations for statistical evidence with practitioners.
Lesson #4: Flexible Modeling Approaches Are Compelling Tools to Understand Complex Interactions
Flexible modeling techniques, such as qualitative network analysis (QNA), are compelling tools for simulating complex interactions, especially in data limited systems (Melbourne-Thomas et al., 2012; Harvey et al., 2016; Martone et al., 2017). QNA is often used when the data are disparate (e.g., scales are mismatched); thus, user assumptions (e.g., literature review or expert knowledge) inform network characteristics. We developed a hypothetical network where nodes were represented by variables from the ecological, human, and oceanographic dimensions of our SES, and linkages between nodes were informed by literature review. We utilized QNA to simulate interactions in our SES framework by qualitatively measuring the ripple effect of perturbations throughout the network, thereby elucidating system responses.
We recommend that transdisciplinary teams do not overlook flexible modeling tools such as QNA because they can incorporate multiple data types, require relatively low computing power, and can simulate several model structures in real-time. Additionally, user-friendly models provide the unique opportunity to solicit perspectives from different academic disciplines or stakeholder groups and engage in participatory model construction (Kosko, 1986; Gray et al., 2015; Vasslides and Jensen, 2016).
Lesson #5: Maintain Relevance for End Users Throughout the Transdisciplinary Process
The past four lessons emerged, in part, from our dedication to maintaining relevance across a wide range of audiences. From the outset of our project, we intended for our findings and products to support marine reserve management. Consideration of our end users shaped our transdisciplinary experience by encouraging us to embrace a flexible process, identify boundary objects, utilize visual communication tools, and apply methods compatible with current management strategies (Lang et al., 2012; Yates et al., 2015; Kelly et al., 2019; Andrews et al., 2020). These processes, tools, and the conversations they evoked helped to balance the scientific credibility of our research with salience and legitimacy in the eyes of practitioners (in this case, the MRP; Cash et al., 2003), as the definition of transdisciplinarity outlines. The significance of this approach lies in practitioner empowerment (Krütli et al., 2010), a central but challenging goal of transdisciplinary science where practitioners are given decision-making authority in the research process and application of results (Brandt et al., 2013). Therefore, we suggest that transdisciplinary teams consider their audience’s values and goals throughout each step of the research process. Transdisciplinary training programs can support this effort through specialized coursework in science communication and community engagement.
Transdisciplinary Education: Challenges and Paths Forward
Our experiences completing the NRT program highlighted two practical challenges that may face future transdisciplinary educators and students. If they are overcome, transdisciplinarity is more enjoyable and attainable (Cundill et al., 2019; Kozlowski and Bell, 2019).
Overcoming Disciplinary Differences
Typically, researchers involved in transdisciplinary collaborations have already developed strong disciplinary expertise rooted in subject matter, specialized language, research orientation, and disciplinary culture (Pohl and Hadorn, 2008; Stone, 2014; Szoslak, 2014). After devoting significant time and mental fortitude to a specific discipline, these factors coalesce to shape an epistemology (Stone, 2014). Embarking on transdisciplinary research forces interactions with differing epistemologies, which can be perceived as uncomfortable, adversarial, or even academically disloyal (Bennett and Gadlin, 2019). True transdisciplinarity requires the consideration and appreciation of disciplinary differences in order to transcend disciplinary boundaries and uncover novel solutions (Stone, 2014). While these feelings may be taxing, this challenge cannot be resisted; instead, the solution is to lean in. Our experiences and prior research suggests that this solution is most effective when team members practice reflection of their own disciplinary biases, remain open to new ideas, and appreciate and compromise around disciplinary differences (Borrego and Newswander, 2010; Szoslak, 2014; Kelly et al., 2019; O’Rourke et al., 2019).
Conscientious communication provides a foundation for exploring disciplinary boundaries. Many researchers and practitioners encounter communication conflicts within their own discipline; transdisciplinary communication presents unique challenges that compound with these conflicts. Past research highlights various communication competencies that promote constructive dialog among a transdisciplinary team: active listening (National Research Council, 2015; Nurius and Kemp, 2019), avoiding jargon (O’Rourke et al., 2019), reflexivity (Thompson, 2009; Read et al., 2016), identifying boundary objects (Gorman, 2002), and optimizing communication technologies (National Research Council, 2015).
Developing Relationships
Relationship building is a key component of transdisciplinarity because it establishes trust and team cohesion and sets a foundation for the aforementioned communication competencies. With the development of personal relationships comes empathy, understanding, and human connection. Team science literature explains that relationships are created during the forming phase of group development (Tuckman, 1965) and establish a baseline for transdisciplinary interactions. Over time, these deliberate actions create a distinct team culture that persists throughout other stages of team science (Tuckman, 1965; Cheruvelil et al., 2014). Team culture is critical for long-term collaboration because it establishes realistic structure and expectations (Cheruvelil et al., 2014). It also supports a cohesive team identity, which has been positively associated with transdisciplinary team performance (Barsade, 2002; Beal et al., 2003) and negatively associated with team conflict (Bennett and Gadlin, 2019). In our team’s experience, building our team culture and identity was a worthwhile time investment, increasing our ability to articulate shared expectations and overcome differences in individual goals and graduate education timeline.
Conclusion
The need for transdisciplinary training and research opportunities during the early stages of graduate education is immediate and unavoidable. Wicked problems are only increasing in magnitude and complexity, and the next generation of marine researchers and practitioners must be equipped with collaborative skills to solve them. The challenges we have addressed in this piece confront current academic structures and are intellectually, emotionally, and financially demanding. Their solutions require flexibility, innovation, and endurance. The NRT program represents one possible solution: expanding the scope of OSU graduate education by building institutional capacity (e.g., specialized courses, connection to diverse mentors, and student funding) to support a transdisciplinary research track. In order to support similar transdisciplinary training opportunities, higher education must adapt to support transdisciplinary education. Our experiences as graduate students illustrate the value gained: we have developed the skills and experience necessary to address wicked problems with a transdisciplinary approach and are now poised to use them in our future careers. Finally, it is our hope that by sharing our lessons learned on the path to transdisciplinarity, we inspire conversation and action toward the advancement of transdisciplinary education and research.
Data Availability Statement
The original contributions presented in the study are included in the article/supplementary material; further inquiries can be directed to the corresponding author/s.
Author Contributions
All authors designed and conducted the research. MW coordinated the writing effort. All authors edited and contributed with text.
Funding
MW, AL, and EH were supported by an NSF Graduate Research Traineeship (NSF#1545188) for the 2018–2019 academic year. JW-A was supported by an NSF Graduate Research Fellowship (NSF#1840998) for the duration of this project.
Conflict of Interest
The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.
Acknowledgments
We thank the OSU NRT faculty who mentored, advised, and supported our team: Ana K. Spalding, Kirsten Grorud-Colvert, Lorenzo Ciannelli, and Alix Gitelman. We thank the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Marine Reserves Program, specifically Lindsay Aylesworth, Cristen Don, Thomas Swearingen, and Justin Ainsworth for discussions, advice, and shared data for this project.
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Keywords: social-ecological systems (SES), graduate education, wicked problems, transdisciplinary training, marine reserves, qualitative network analysis
Citation: Wilson MN, Laufer AE, Howard EM and Wong-Ala JATK (2021) Lessons From the Trenches: Students’ Perspectives of Their Own Marine Transdisciplinary Education. Front. Mar. Sci. 7:592368. doi: 10.3389/fmars.2020.592368
Received: 07 August 2020; Accepted: 18 December 2020;
Published: 14 January 2021.
Edited by:
Christopher Cvitanovic, Australian National University, AustraliaReviewed by:
Ella-Kari Muhl, University of Waterloo, CanadaGeorgina Gurney, ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, Australia
Copyright © 2021 Wilson, Laufer, Howard and Wong-Ala. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
*Correspondence: Megan N. Wilson, wilsomeg@oregonstate.edu