Multifunctional landscapes—towards transdisciplinary research

This paper deals with the process of integration required to study multifunctionality in agricultural landscapes. It examines what we really understand by integration between subject disciplines and how we can move from independent parallel disciplinary studies carried out in the same area to increasing degrees of interdisciplinarity. I explore the current interest in interdisciplinarity with the aim of mapping out what we can expect interdisciplinary research to achieve and what it will not. The main part of the paper examines the process of working across subject boundaries, and the problems from practical and theoretical perspectives. The major barriers facing interdisciplinarity in landscape research are academic traditions, the merit system and lack of theory. To meet the challenges of interdisciplinarity, we need to focus on theory development, training of researchers, team building, finding common aims and rewarding good practice. Finally, I discuss the drafting of a code of good practice and criteria for assessing quality in interdisciplinary research.