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Navigating between Complexity and Control in Transdisciplinary Problem Framing: Meaning Making as an Approach to Reflexive Integration

ABSTRACT Referring to a problem-oriented research mode, transdisciplinarity faces the challenge of dealing with the complexity of real-world problems in a methodologically controlled manner. As the first step in transdisciplinary research, problem framing aims at identifying the problem that will serve as a common orientation point for the subsequent research process. Existing approaches to integrative problem framing seek collaboration of practical and scientific actors in order to develop a common definition of the problem. Such a strategy seems to rely on a unifying mode of integration that levels the diversity of perspectives of the involved actors. This paper presents an alternative approach to integrative problem framing in transdisciplinary research, which is based on a mode of reflexive integration. The corresponding approach of ‘meaning making’ intends to systematically grasp the plurality of perspectives involved and to relate them to an overarching theme. Substantiating and reflecting meaning making based on a research project on sustainability governance in Swiss cantons, the paper argues that meaning making enables a reflexive pathway between complexity and control in transdisciplinary problem framing.