According to Professor John Robinson “co-producing, or even co-implementing a project - that is the most deeply engaged version of transdisciplinarity, one that can lead to actual co-production of knowledge.” (Robinson, 2019). I understand that the project so far is lacking in transdisciplinary engagement of the people involved. Therefore in order to achieve a project that is a well-rounded accumulation of knowledge and experience, I must create an environment where there is an equal exchange of opinions and views.

To achieve a truly transdisciplinary project, it is imperative that an individual person, group or business does not dictate the direction of the venture.

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Having a diverse transdisciplinary group of people, businesses and the local community, with experience of addressing and dealing with different issues, and who have a vested interest in the project, is one of the reasons transdisciplinary projects work well. The wide-ranging skills and experience of the people involved can often prove to be invaluable. Bringing together a diverse way of thinking and problem solving can result in creative ways of addressing potential and existing problems.

 

Professor John Robinson stated, “Don’t ask the partner to join your research project but look for ways that some joint activities could help both their and your agenda.” (Robinson, 2019). As stated in the article ‘Transdisciplinarity: Context, contradictions and capacity’, transdisciplinarity ‘involves cooperation among different groups within society and within academia; in joint problem solving, an action research process that encourages the multiple stakeholders to ‘take ownership’ of the outcomes of the research’. (Russell, Wickson and Carew, 2008)

 

Finding out how the local community feels they could benefit from having the sculpture meadow in the village and making their proposals mutually beneficial, is of paramount importance. This also applies to contributing artists, schools and community groups. It is also more likely that the project will be accepted and adopted by the local community if they are directly engaged, and a mutual trust is built over time. The role as a Transdisciplinary Practitioner is not always an easy one, especially if the project is initiated by a single person who is deeply and personally invested in it. They must be able to detach to a point where they are open to suggestions and deviations from the original plans for the project. This will hopefully lead to a more varied and diverse project and will develop in ways which would have been difficult to achieve without the input of the varied skills, ideas and experience of others. 

 

Initially, the project was multidisciplinary rather than transdisciplinary as all the contributing disciplines were all focused on one outcome and were given a preconceived set brief which everyone was working towards (the creation of the ‘Alvanley Community Sculpture Meadow’). Although the project was enriched by the advice and input of the people involved and resulted in creating a strong platform in which to progress, there was little opportunity for innovation or deviation from the original concept - they gave their advice and I then implemented their recommendations.

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Where the project will develop into a transdisciplinary project will be in the coming together of Helsby High School, Alvanley Primary School, Alvanley Parish Council, The Forest School, Russell Godwin, Elaine McNeill and interested artists.

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I will form a transdisciplinary group and then manage and encourage the group to facilitate good communication and interaction and exchange of ideas and skills. I will oversee the group but I will not impose any preconceived brief or plan I may have for the site, any decisions made for the development of the Alvanley Community Sculpture Meadow will be a group committee decision and will continue in this manner. To achieve a truly transdisciplinary project, it is imperative that an individual person, group or business does not dictate the direction of the venture. ‘If the interests of different partners in mutual learning are different (which is likely to be the case when partners include industry and the community) and if power differentials exist (as they generally do), mutual, consensual outcomes are by no means guaranteed.’ (Russell, Wickson and Carew, 2008). There is, indeed, the potential for disagreement between the Alvanley Community Sculpture Meadow committee if an event or project is proposed by an artist which the local community or schools deem to be unsuitable. There is then a risk that the art could be watered down or not exhibited. As stated in the journal 'Transdisciplinarity: Context, contradictions and capacity': ‘There needs to be considerable transparency and negotiation, particularly in the conduct of mutual learning.’ (Russell, Wickson and Carew, 2008). My hope is that, through shared knowledge, discussion and compromise, there can be an acceptance and appreciation of new art concepts, which will allow a type of contemporary art which may be novel to the passing viewer, to be exhibited in a new and accessible environment.

 

It could be argued that committees can result in disagreements and clashes of personalities, but I would argue that this can create opportunities to address and avert potential problems before they occur and avoid the risk of derailing the whole venture. “All committee members have a valuable role to play. The diversity of membership, with differing backgrounds, skill-sets, experience and personalities can be a source of strength for the organisation if effectively managed.” (Dealing With Conflict: What To Do When, 2022)

 

Having a diverse transdisciplinary group of people and businesses with experience of addressing and dealing with different issues, and who have a vested interest in the project, is one of the reasons transdisciplinary projects work well. The wide-ranging skills and experience of the people involved can often prove to be invaluable. Bringing together a diverse way of thinking and problem solving can result in new enterprises and creative ways of addressing potential and existing problems.