Convergence, transdisciplinarity, and team science: an interepistemic approach

The challenges facing the Intermountain West are characterized by extreme complexity and enormous consequences. They include climate change and associated ecological effects, such as catastrophic wildfire and drought. They are also inextricably linked to social inequities, including freshwater availability, land conversion, and access to basic human needs such as quality food, affordable energy, and access to healthcare. A meaningful response to these challenges requires new thinking. Convergent research is designed to foster new thinking by creating novel frameworks and conceptual models that drive innovation. Here, we share our approach to convergent research in the Transformation Network (TN), a National Science Foundation supported Sustainable Regional Systems Network. A key element of the TN’s design is an interepistemic and even interontological approach that builds across different knowledge systems throughout academia and among Native American and community partners. After first providing an overview of the development of the field of convergence research and its relationship to transdisciplinary research, we provide an outline of the TN’s approach, which draws from two schools of transdisciplinarity thought—the metaphysical approach of the Nicolescuian School and the more solution-focused Zürich School. We then explain how we operationalize our approach with systems thinking and systems dynamics modeling, as well as community engagement, diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice efforts, and continual learning with reflexive assessment and training practices. This includes an example where TN faculty and students partner with members of the Navajo Nation to support the independence of Native American communities in the San Juan River Watershed through the implementation of small-scale sustainable off-grid food-energy-water systems.