Russell, et al, (2008) puts forth the case for transdisciplinarity to be adopted by universities due to its potential to solve ‘real world’ problems due to its tendency to adopt evolving methodologies, reflectivity and responsiveness.
Transdisciplinarity, according to Giri (2002), calls for an art of authentic embeddedness in one’s discipline and transcendence does not mean cutting off from the ground where one stands but widening one’s horizons’, although he warns of a reluctance of transmutation of one’s initial disciplinary identity.
Haraway (2016) and Giri (2002) both highlight the importance of the creation of relationships or ‘kin’ but point out that this may not come naturally to start off with, a sentiment I agree with whole heartedly, I do at times find it difficult to reach out to people, but I make the effort, because I know it matters.
And it was in the reaching out this those new connections were made leading to my project becoming transdisciplinary. The ecologists and scientists and artists I have encountered along the way have shown interested in my project and have been willing to share knowledge of their own discipline, pointing to a breaking down of rigid barriers between disciplines (Giri, 2002).
Horvath et al, (2025) point out that in order to solve real world issues such as poverty, social inequality, biodiversity loss, and climate change there must be a transdisciplinary approach but warns of a tendency to overlook this and instead seek for answers through specialised solutions that ignore considerations that go beyond specialised viewpoints.
I have overcome this by blending scientific methods of enquiry with artistic processes that point to the transdisciplinarity of my project. For example, amateur mycology and microscopy, both are important aspects of the project helping me understand the umwelt of soil living creatures so that I can share my perception of them to others through artistic interpretation.
In seeking connections within wildlife trusts, arts organisations and councils and by looking through the lens of an artists who has one foot in scientific enquiry I can reap the long-term benefits of transdisciplinarity on my own practice.
Wigan council and CVAN NW’s have recognised ‘other’ disciplines (Giri, 2002), by inviting both artists and ecologists to come together to create new projects that reach out to a wider demographic of society to engage in the natural world. Clark, et al, (2020) described this as a ‘reawakening of the collaborative spirit and growing interest in art-science collaboration’. And there are many similarities to 6&6, that facilitated artists and scientists to work together on in transdisciplinary practice, scientists and artists worked on new projects that neither had previous knowledge of, thus creating a level playing field, art informed science and science informed art.
This is a blurring of disciplines, encouraging multi-agency, transdisciplinary approaches that break down barriers, I hope will encourage wonder and provoke further discussion about the problems we all face, and what we can collectively do about it.
This can only have a positive impact on my future practice as an artist working at the intersections of artistic and ecological scientific enquiry. And as the work comes together, I hope in the future the participants and collaborators I’ve met along the way, can use it again for new transdisciplinary projects that reimagine our connection to the natural world.
