Transdisciplinary Research and Stakeholder Collaboration

New research underscores the growing importance of transdisciplinary collaboration between universities and external stakeholders to address complex societal challenges. A bibliometric analysis shows declining academic partnerships with industry, prompting institutions like Utrecht University and the Sustainable Industry Lab to develop structured frameworks for co-producing knowledge. These approaches emphasize inclusive planning and shared learning, reframing stakeholder engagement as a core element of research—crucial for building trust, ensuring policy relevance, and driving impact in fields like sustainability and infrastructure.