Research in the globalscape : conceptual tools for understanding sites

[[WORKSHOP Within EDRA 35, 2004: Design With Spirit Moderated by Julia Nevarez with contributions from Denise Alcantara, Clio Capitanachi, Jeffrey Pall Wandersman, Suzanne Scheld, Bob Bechtel, Constatine Kijanenko, Dana Taplin, Robert Marans, Ashraf M. Salama, Michael Mitrany, and Sanjoy Mazundar]] Purposes and objectives: While previous workshops have deal with urban research methodologies, this workshop will help uncover those conceptual tools used in the study of environments. While the epistemological foundations of research include a consideration for the origins, methods and limits of knowledge, this workshop will focus on the methods and discuss concepts and spatial metaphors used to speak of the city. Explicitly and implicitly conceptual tools, such as spatial metaphors help to advance the analysis of urban phenomena. Little explanation is given to the underlying conceptual and spatial metaphors of urban though. This workshop will attempt at uncovering the epistemologies produced by the craft of research in the global context by 1) presenting research in specific sites, 2) identifying and describing the spatial metaphors used in the analysis of cities and other settled areas, and 3) examining the discourses these spatial metaphors represent. Expected outcomes: This workshop seeks to offer a platform where to discuss the conceptual tools used in urban research, specifically spatial metaphors that help the analysis of the city and other settled areas. The workshop also seeks to identify the discourses from which these spatial metaphors emerge as a way to advance our awareness of how knowledge is obtained through research. An identification of concepts and spatial metaphors will help identify the possible benefits and limitations of using such conceptual and analytical tools in the production of knowledge about the urban environment. Plans to involve the audience:A reference list and selection of readings will be distributed to participants. There will be three presentations by workshop members that will provide examples of conceptual tools used in the analysis o furban research. A group exercise will help participants in different subgroups identify other conceptual tools that they use in their current research. An open group discussion about the sub-group activities will follow.List of possible participants: Denise Alcantara, Clio Capitanachi, Jeffrey Pall Wandersman, Suzanne Scheld, Bob Bechtel, Constatine Kijanenko, Dana Taplin, Robert Marans, Ashraf M. Salama, Michael Mitrany, and Sanjoy Mazundar

Gauging the Transdisciplinary Qualities and Outcomes of Doctoral Training Programs

A key assumption underlying recent investments toward establishing transdisciplinary research centers and training programs is that cross-disciplinary research and training provide a stronger basis for achieving scientific and societal advances than unidisciplinary programs. It is necessary to develop reproducible and reliable criteria for identifying the distinctive qualities of cross-disciplinary research and training programs, especially in the field of urban and regional planning. The current study provides an exploratory first step toward that goal. A composite scale designed to measure the transdisciplinary qualities of doctoral dissertations as an important product of one's intellectual development and graduate training was constructed and administered in the present study. Dissertations completed over a twenty-five-year period by Ph.D. candidates within an interdisciplinary doctoral training program were rated by two independent reviewers across multiple dimensions of transdisciplinary integration and scope. Departmental as well as gender differences were found on several dimensions of transdisciplinarity. © 2005 Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning