Pure theory or useful tool?: Experiences with transdisciplinarity in the Piedmont Alps

The article reflects the theoretical concept of transdisciplinarity by presenting the successive work stages of a research project conducted in the Piedmont Alps from 1998 to 2004. It demonstrates why and how transdisciplinary methodology was applied, and the experiences gained from its use. The transdisciplinary strategy was adopted since it enables researchers to cross disciplinary borders and to deal with extra-scientific “real world problems”. The Piedmont Project, therefore, focussed on the expected solutions to the undesired negative ecological and social effects of land abandonment in the south-western Alps. The problem-solving strategy has been divided into five steps: problem definition, problem comprehension, problem analysis, treatment of sub areas and their integration in order to achieve overlapping results. The end of the research was marked by the development and implementation of applicable solutions. Experiences with transdisciplinarity were both negative and positive in nature. On the one hand, the necessity of including the local population was a particularly significant and exhausting challenge, requiring a great deal of openness, patience and communication skills. On the other hand, the ‘real world’ research did bring forth a great amount of practical and theoretical knowledge for the researchers as well as for the stakeholders.