Complexity and Transdisciplinary Collaboration Lab
Transdisciplinary approaches are urgently needed to address the world's most complex problems – climate change, antibiotic resistance, economic instability, global pandemics, and more. For these problems, disciplinary expertise, by itself, is no longer sufficient. Neither is multi- or interdisciplinarity. Instead, transdisciplinary methods are required.
Leading international organisations are calling for the higher education sector to adopt greater transdisciplinary practice and leadership, including the Council of Graduate Schools, the Higher Education Academy, UNESCO, the National Science Foundation, and the National Academies of Sciences. This group is a response to those calls. We work on wicked problems.
This whole-of-university group brings together transdisciplinary researchers, educators and practitioners from across all Colleges within the University. Equally important is our outward-facing, beyond-University focus. Our industry, community and university partnerships are extensive and long-term. The group seeks to connect with and build relationships with external stakeholders to achieve engagement and societal impact.
Research focus
This group brings together the knowledge, experience, and resources of multiple disciplines to tackle the wicked problems facing contemporary society. Our transdisciplinary approach allows us to transcend disciplinary limitations. Our group empowers people with the methods, experience, and capabilities to work with complex challenges.
In the long term, we wish to see the capacity to address wicked problems mainstreamed in higher education, the workforce and communities.
Our researchers
Academic members
- Mitchell Aafjes
- Dr Christine Armstrong
- Associate Professor Graham Brewer
- Conjoint Associate Professor Craig Dalton
- Associate Professor Michelle Duffy
- Dr Geoffrey Hookham
- James Juniper
- Dr David Kellett
- Dr Chloe Killen
- Jonathon Levey
- Andrew Lloyd
- Associate Professor Bonnie McBain
- Professor Phillip McIntyre
- Dr Benjamin Matthews
- Professor Kate Nash
- Dr Irene Perez Lopez
- Associate Professor Liam Phelan
- Dr Warren Reilly
- Dr Anna Tweeddale
- Andrew Yardy
Industry partners
Cross-university collaborators
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.