Approach

Theoretical Framework
WaterPower draws on insights from political ecology, environmental justice and governance research in order to illuminate the relationship between bio-physical and socio-political processes in an era of global change. We will carry out in-depth research, including mapping and modelling of urban expansion and settlements, analyze infrastructure regimes, governance mechanisms and (discourses about) socio-spatial conditions of urban water security, while also exploring the dynamics between urbanization and aquatic ecosystem services and disservices.

Transdisciplinarity

Complex socio-environmental challenges call for the integration of knowledge from both science and society to explore new strategies and opportunities towards sustainability transformations. Transdisciplinary research in sustainability science sets the basis for such collaboration and co-production of knowledge that is relevant to society.
Transdisciplinarity 
“a reflexive research approach that addresses societal problems by means of interdisciplinary collaboration as well as the collaboration between researchers and extra-scientific actors”
- Jahn  et al. (2012)
Within WaterPower, we apply an inter- and transdisciplinary approach through (a) the creation of an interdisciplinary team and collaborative problem framing that includes the perspective of local stakeholders, (b) the co-production of knowledge that is solution-oriented and (c) the re-integration of new knowledge in both science and society.

Various activities contribute to this process:
  • Weekly interdisciplinary colloquia within the research team and academic experts
  • Early stakeholder involvement and continuous interaction through yearly workshops and long-term stays in Ghana
  • In-depth interdisciplinary research by the PhD researchers employing various methods but drawing on a shared conceptual frame
  • Participatory research methods in Accra - such as family portraits and scenario workshops
  • On-going dialogue and a reflexive approach towards research methods and collaboration processes in transdisciplinary research
  • Development of web-based tools, videos, handbooks, digital maps, policy briefs, newsletters and the organization of “world café” events both in Trier and Accra
Referenced Works
Jahn, Thomas; Matthias Bergmann; Florian Keil (2012): Transdisciplinarity: Between mainstreaming and marginalization. Ecological Economics, Vol. 79, July 2012, 1–10 dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolecon.2012.04.017