Institutionalisation of transdisciplinarity in research organisations - a review of key dimensions

Transdisciplinary academic work, which involves co-developing knowledge with practice to tackle pressing societal and ecological issues, is increasingly advocated by policymakers, academics, funders, and research organisations. This approach not only enhances the understanding of these problems but also aids in devising practical solutions. However, implementing transdisciplinary work within research organisations including universities, traditionally organised around disciplines and academic outputs, poses significant challenges. This paper addresses the enabling and hindering factors for transdisciplinary work within such organisations. Through a comprehensive literature review, we identify nine key dimensions that influence the institutionalization of transdisciplinary work. Dimensions included are: Organisational values, Organisational structure, Inter-organisational collaboration, Leadership, Training, Teaching & Curriculum, Financing, Reward structures and Institutional culture. These dimensions serve as a starting point for thinking more strategically about such institutionalisation. The concluding discussion evaluates the current state of the field, the limitations of the literature review, and suggests future research directions. It also underscores the collective challenge of fostering changes to support transdisciplinary work before it closes with highlighting six emerging institutional changes necessary for progress.