Sustainability work is inherently interdisciplinary. This is one of the field's great strengths, but it also poses distinct challenges.
As Jed Cohen, Senior Expert for Energy Economics at the Energy Institute at Johannes Kepler University in ICLEI Member Linz (Austria) explains: even the best-intentioned meetings and conferences risk having participants speak past each other, as though they are addressing different ideas with their statements, and maybe even speaking different languages. Technical terms and acronyms are often used, leaving those who do not understand self-conscious to ask for clarification, and potentially prompting them to 'check-out' of the conversation. These communication problems are common across meetings; but, inter- and trans-disciplinary projects are at even higher risk.
Inter- and trans-disciplinary research projects bring together experts in technical, social and practical fields to work across a divide of technical jargon, differing expectations, cultures, and egos. Misunderstanding are perhaps most relevant in energy research, due to the exceeding complexity of energy systems, alongside the omnipresence of energy in every part of human society. Together, these require researchers to have simultaneously deep and broad perspectives.
The SMARTEES project – in which ICLEI is a partner – is, at its core, interdisciplinary, incorporating the technical expertise of computer scientists, data analysts, and transportation engineers with behavioural insights from social science and humanities, and producing results that are accessible to policymakers and urban planners.
Such a diverse mix of perspectives can pose a unique challenge. Throughout the project, various tools and ground rules were developed and tested to address this challenge. SMARTEES researchers have shared their reflections based on this process, alongside advice for future interdisciplinary energy projects, in a (preprint) article.
Some of their main findings include the critical importance of using 'project vocabulary' (instead of discipline-specific phrases) and carefully thought-out wording. SMARTEES used document analysis and internal surveys to better understand project-internal vocabulary, and to jointly define key terms. In addition, they found that group leaders should consistently remind the group to avoid jargon and must foster a culture that encourages all to ask clarifying questions. Projects should reduce the number of open discussions and presentations in favour of structured group activities in meetings. These activities lead to clearer outputs, more inclusive cross-disciplinary engagement, and, often, more efficient time use.
For more information, read the 'Tools to improve efficiency in interdisciplinary energy research projects' article here.
Learn more about the SMARTEES project here.