Various aspects of interdisciplinarity in research and how to quantify and measure those

SAStutorials.org - online tutorials on small-angle scattering data analysis

Small-angle X-ray and neutron scattering (SAXS and SANS) are versatile techniques for studying the structure of various materials and particles, enabling investigations of structures from a few to hundreds of nanometres. However, interpreting SAXS or SANS data can be challenging, hence the need for effective training. Here, we present the website SAStutorials.org, which offers tutorials on small-angle scattering (SAS) data analysis. The website serves as a learning platform that supports active learning both in the classroom and through self-study. The tutorials cover basic concepts, advanced modelling and theoretical aspects of SAS. Each tutorial follows a structure based on the principle of SOLO taxonomy, guiding learners from minimal or no knowledge in a given area to the ability to tackle real-world problems. SAStutorials.org has been developed as a community tool, providing tutorials that encompass a broad range of data analysis types, leveraging various programs and investigating different materials. Moreover, the website and all its data are open source, encouraging contributions from the community.

Roles of researchers in inter- and transdisciplinary sustainability research: a reflection tool

Inter- and transdisciplinary (ITD) research is increasingly called for and supported to promote sustainable transformation through knowledge co-production, knowledge integration, and solution development. The paper explores what is needed to support researchers in reflecting on their new roles in ITD research. We introduce a reflection tool that makes the growing literature on researchers' roles in sustainability science applicable to ITD projects. Its design is based on the arguments that each researcher can have several roles within one research project and that focusing on a few key roles increases clarity compared to differentiating many specialized roles. The tool consists of (1) a researcher survey that operationalizes six prominent roles (traditional scientist, self-reflexive scientist, knowledge integrator, knowledge broker, process facilitator, and change agent), (2) a visualization of role profiles from the survey, and (3) a set of reflection questions on related opportunities, challenges, and coping strategies on individual and project level. We empirically applied the tool in two ITD research projects focused on sustainable food production and water and forest ecosystem management. Comparative application of the tool yielded diverse role profiles of researchers in both projects, with different patterns for senior and junior researchers as well as natural and social scientists. The reflection produced a collection of opportunities, challenges, and coping strategies that corroborates and extends insights from ITD literature. We discuss how the tool triggers multi-dimensional reflection on roles (individual and project level, role combinations, self-perception and external perception) and outline opportunities for further strengthening such reflection in ITD research.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11625-024-01619-x.