Why interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary approaches are important

Academic leads from the Risk, Crises, and Resilience (RCR) theme of the Rudolf Agricola School for Sustainable Development met to brainstorm on the theme, its core content, and the principles that will guide their collective work. They used compelling metaphors from art, nature, and sports to frame their insights.

How to shape a resilient society?

Mental health resilience was emphasized, recognizing its crucial role in mitigating trauma during and after crises. Moreover, social dynamics and communication are integral to disaster response. Different fields contribute to shaping a more resilient society, from understanding how people think and interact to how systems are built to endure. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to risk, but when disciplines collaborate through interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary efforts, they can address both immediate and long-term challenges more effectively.

Drafting the path forward

Using the metaphor of a tree, different disciplines are brought together to reduce risks and grow knowledge. The tree's trunk represents teamwork and learning from each other, while the roots connect people to real-world experiences—local communities, history, and global issues. The branches symbolize the different fields that contribute to the theme, each offering a distinct perspective on understanding and solving risk-related challenges. This approach could help shape a draft version of an RCR manifesto.

Technology plays a key role in preparing societies for risks like climate change. This is done by using tools such as satellite imagery and ground-level reports. However, solving big problems isn't just about collecting data; it's about working with people—from government leaders to emergency responders to everyday citizens—to create solutions together.

The road ahead

No society can ever be entirely risk-proof. The trade-offs between short-term and long-term risks and balancing personal freedoms with collective safety need more attention. There is a growing need to foster interdisciplinary approaches to problem-solving within transdisciplinary settings, ensuring that knowledge and expertise from multiple domains come together to build a more resilient future.