Creating Collaborative Conditions & Co-Creation

A structured guide for successful interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary projects.

Why it matters: Aligns efforts across disciplines and stakeholders.

Facilitate early conversations to co-define the problem and research questions.
Use tools like Theory of Change, Rich Picture Mapping, or Design Thinking to visualize goals.
Focus on real-world relevance, especially in transdisciplinary projects.

Why it matters: Different expertise and knowledge systems enrich the project.

Identify and invite stakeholders with complementary expertise and lived experience.
Ensure diversity in knowledge systems (scientific, local, Indigenous).
Create roles for boundary spanners who can translate across domains.

Choose methodologies accommodating multiple perspectives (e.g., participatory action research, systems thinking).
Negotiate terminology to avoid misunderstandings.
Use iterative feedback cycles, pilot testing, and refinement.

Establish transparent decision-making processes (consensus, rotating leadership).
Define roles and responsibilities clearly.
Ensure shared access to resources, data, and authorship rights.

Co-develop pathways to impact with stakeholders.
Involve end-users early in knowledge mobilization strategies.
Produce outputs in multiple formats: academic papers, policy briefs, infographics, workshops.

Tool / Framework	Purpose
Gantt Charts & RACI Matrix	Clarify tasks, roles, and timelines
Collaborative Platforms (Miro, Notion)	Co-creation and communication
Knowledge Integration Frameworks (TINT, NUSAP)	Align epistemologies
Transdisciplinary Research Framework (Lang et al., 2012)	Guide transdisciplinary processes
Participatory Action Research (PAR)	Center local knowledge in co-research

• Start slow to go far • Accept complexity • Celebrate small wins • Always ask: Who is missing?

IDTDS @ SLASS