As humanity faces new and significant challenges and problems (e.g., environmental, food and agriculture, cyber security, erosion of democracy, regional and global conflicts, etc.), we need education and research that can adequately prepare and equip us to deal with these. Traditional disciplinary approaches, knowledge and methodologies are approachingthe limits of their potential to serve our needs effectively. Embracing Transdisciplinarity is required.
Transdisciplinarity can be described as a practiceoftranscending across, between and beyond established disciplines and professions in the search for knowledge and applications that cannot be pursued in traditional disciplinary ways. The central argument is that contemporary challenges are complex, and dealing with these requires knowledge and expertise across disciplines, professions and communities. Therefore,
collaboration across communities and engagements across disciplines are critical characteristics of a Transdisciplinary effort in dealing with the great questions of our time.