A conceptual template for integrative human-environment research
(2005) Global Environmental Change — Vol. 15, n° 4, p. 299-307 (2005)
Files
pdfdocument.pdf
Restricted Access - Adobe PDF
- 205.06 KB
Details
- Authors
- Abstract
- 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. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
- Affiliations
Citations
Newell, B., Crumley, C., Hassan, N., Lambin, E., Pahl-Wostl, C., Underdal, A., & Wasson, R. (2005). A conceptual template for integrative human-environment research. Global Environmental Change, 15(4), 299-307. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2005.06.003 (Original work published 2005)