TY - JOUR
T1 - A conceptual template for integrative human-environment research
AU - Newell, Barry
AU - Crumley, Carole L.
AU - Hassan, Nordin
AU - Lambin, Eric F.
AU - Pahl-Wostl, Claudia
AU - Underdal, Arild
AU - Wasson, Robert
PY - 2005/12
Y1 - 2005/12
N2 - Knowledge integration, the blending of concepts from two or more disciplines to create innovative new worldviews, is a key process in attempts to increase the sustainability of human activities on Earth. In this paper, we describe a 'conceptual template'that can be used to catalyse this process. The template comprises (a) a list of high-level concepts that capture the essential aspects of any significant human-environment problem, plus (b) broad lists of low-level basic concepts drawn from a range of disciplines. Our high-level concepts, which we call 'conceptual clusters', are labelled Dynamics & System, Organisation & Scale, Controlling Models, Management & Policy, Adaptation & Learning, and History. Many of the clustered, lower-level concepts are synonyms and thus provide possible connections between disciplines - for this reason we call them 'nexus concepts'. We suggest that a conceptual template like that presented here can provide strong support to the initial phases of integrative research programs.
AB - Knowledge integration, the blending of concepts from two or more disciplines to create innovative new worldviews, is a key process in attempts to increase the sustainability of human activities on Earth. In this paper, we describe a 'conceptual template'that can be used to catalyse this process. The template comprises (a) a list of high-level concepts that capture the essential aspects of any significant human-environment problem, plus (b) broad lists of low-level basic concepts drawn from a range of disciplines. Our high-level concepts, which we call 'conceptual clusters', are labelled Dynamics & System, Organisation & Scale, Controlling Models, Management & Policy, Adaptation & Learning, and History. Many of the clustered, lower-level concepts are synonyms and thus provide possible connections between disciplines - for this reason we call them 'nexus concepts'. We suggest that a conceptual template like that presented here can provide strong support to the initial phases of integrative research programs.
KW - Cognition
KW - Conceptual blending
KW - Dialogue
KW - Human-environment research
KW - Knowledge integration
KW - Sustainability
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=27744567430&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2005.06.003
DO - 10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2005.06.003
M3 - Article
SN - 0959-3780
VL - 15
SP - 299
EP - 307
JO - Global Environmental Change
JF - Global Environmental Change
IS - 4
ER -