From silos to solutions: Navigating transdisciplinary conservation research for early career researchers

Abstract

Conservation challenges are often intertwined with complex geopolitical challenges such as climate change and economic development, that cannot be solved through traditional single-discipline approaches. Whilst the benefits of transdisciplinary approaches are widely acknowledged, the integration of such approaches in conservation research and practice remains limited, underscoring a significant gap in current efforts to address global biodiversity and sustainability challenges. Early career researchers (ECRs) are ideally positioned to embrace and advance such approaches; however, the transition to transdisciplinary research results in many challenges for ECRs, from navigating the complexities of interdisciplinary collaborations to establishing a transdisciplinary research career. Drawing on the insights from our own journeys as transdisciplinary researchers, we outline key obstacles we have encountered and propose a set of actionable recommendations. These guidelines aim to support ECRs in overcoming the barriers to transdisciplinary work, facilitating the broader application of these approaches in environmental conservation and beyond, and fostering a more integrated and effective response to global conservation challenges.