Transformative Research: From Theory to Real-World Impact
"Bridging the Gap Between Ambitious Goals and Practical Application in Transformative Science"
Transformative research (TR) is a hot topic, generating a lot of buzz. But there's a growing divide between the high-minded ideals discussed and what actually happens in the field. We need to take a closer look at what TR truly means in practice.
Often, the goals of TR are set way ahead of the practical realities, creating a situation ripe for over-promising and under-delivering. The pressure to transform both society and the scientific community can be overwhelming and even risky for researchers.
So, what does TR look like on the ground, away from the conference halls and academic papers? How does it differ from other approaches like transdisciplinary research (TD)? This article argues for getting back to basics, emphasizing the need for empirical evidence to guide our theories and actions. Think of it as a call for innovation within the scientific system itself.
Why All the Talk? Examining the Discourse Around Transformative Science
Discussions are great for clarifying ideas, testing claims, and establishing norms. However, they can also become detached from real-world observations, driven more by rhetoric and self-referential arguments than by practical insights.
- The Chronology Problem: Transformation is judged retroactively, making it difficult to assess the impact of research in real-time.
- The Phantom Goal: True transformation is yet to be proven, leading to discussions about something that doesn't fully exist.
- Vague Definitions: The discourse lacks clear, practical guidance on how research can truly be transformative.
Moving Forward: Grounded Theory for Transformative Research
To bridge the gap between theory and practice, we need a grounded theory approach to TR. This means starting with real-world observations and using them to develop our understanding, rather than imposing pre-conceived notions. Let's focus on understanding the social practices of TR and the roles researchers play, recognizing that this field is still in an experimental stage. By embedding this perspective, TR can be reconstructed as a social and scientific innovation.