[Inter- and Transdisciplinarity as a Normative Dynamic: Challenges and Opportunities for Political Science]

Area of Science:

• Political Science
• Sustainability Research

Context:

• Inter- and transdisciplinarity (ITD) is established in political science, yet its implications for research and researchers are underexplored.
• Political science frequently engages in self-reflection regarding its disciplinary boundaries and research methodologies.

Purpose:

• To conceptualize ITD as a spectrum of knowledge integration, application, and participation.
• To analyze ITD as a normative dynamic using International Relations norm research as a framework.
• To examine the implications of ITD for political science research and researchers, particularly in sustainability.

Summary:

• ITD offers both opportunities and challenges, impacting knowledge integration, application, and participation.
• The study explores the tension between political science's participation in societal issues and ITD's specific knowledge preferences.
• It reflects on ITD's application bias, problem-solving potential, output orientation, and democratizing effects.

Impact:

• Highlights the dual nature of ITD, presenting both benefits and drawbacks for political science.
• Provides a framework for understanding ITD's normative dynamics within sustainability research.
• Identifies areas for future research to deepen the understanding of ITD's role in political science.