Abstract
The implementation of transformative changes that address the root causes of social–ecological challenges is urgently needed. Transdisciplinary research has been proposed as one suitable approach to co-produce relevant knowledge for transformative change. However, there is a lack of conceptual clarity to assess whether and how transdisciplinary research can deliver transformative change, and also about what transformative change is. Here, we present a framework to assess the transformative potential of transdisciplinary research and test it in 4 cases from the European Alps. The framework includes a characterization of the transdisciplinary research process, a characterization of the changes in the target unit (the entity that the transdisciplinary research aims to transform), and a theory of change linking the former to the latter. The framework allows examination of whether and how transdisciplinary research contributes to changing target units and to what extent these changes are transformative, while highlighting the importance of the temporal context. In addition, the framework highlights key characteristics of the transdisciplinary research process that shape its transformative potential. The main value of the framework lies in the explicit link between the assessment of the transdisciplinary research process and the assessment of transformative change over the medium term (from years to decades). Moving forward, studies are needed that rely on a larger and more diverse number of cases and that better grasp the depth of transformative change. This article offers insights for improving assessments of the impacts of research, which are increasingly critical for researchers, universities, funders and beneficiaries. These insights can support the effective design and evaluation of research aimed at implementing transformative change to address complex social–ecological challenges.
