Interdisciplinary and multi-institutional higher learning: reflecting on a South African case study investigating complex and dynamic environmental challenges

摘要: Complex social-ecological problems need sustained interdisciplinary engagements across multiple disciplines, yet academic offerings continue to reflect disciplinary silos. To address this, a five-year program, within developing country context, was conceived follow an research mode using team of students and supervisors from various institutions the disciplines ecology, hydrology economics. By flexible student training model, regional/site specific knowledge developed while simultaneously shared vision model combine information each project. Graduates felt enabled by program that actively encouraged interactions furthering development. Cross communication, achieved through engagement opportunities common outputs, all facilitated external boundary organization. While lengthy time frames are required for such collaborative programs, researchers, higher learning funding agencies should not avoid this type investment.