Depiction of our values taken from our values documents
Transdisciplinary Group Values1
We strive for clarity and purpose
Regularly revisit mission, vision and purpose
Regularly attend to impact of the work, the role of the work in social change, and the ways that this can be achieved
We consciously use communication that promotes connection and sustained involvement
Consciously agree to listen when others are talking, recognizing that speaking English is difficult in a multicultural environment
Recognize the benefits and limitations of modes of communication (email, virtual meetings, drop boxes), especially considering cultural and disciplinary differences
Recognize the importance of face-to-face meetings
Commit to regular meetings where members can be physical present and interact together
Consciously attend to activities that contribute to sustainability
We respect our diversity, uniquenesses, and perspectives
Remember that everyone involved is a multi-faceted person, with the potential to engage with their whole self
Remember that there are ways of knowing—work together needs to respect and accommodating learning, working, and interacting, and looking at concepts and problems from different perspectives
Practice cultural humility and cultural sensitivity, and challenge ethnocentricity and unconscious bias in yourself and in the work
Recognize and acknowledge identities and disciplinary perspectives—therapist, system-level thinking, disciplinary training
Attend to power, power differentials, and colonization in societies and science
Attend to the ways that trauma affects not only individuals but also groups, systems and societies
Practice tolerance and trust: explore the nature of conflict before making judgments
Recognize that there are multiple interests and multiple levels of interests
We balancing the needs of the group with the value of personal contributions
Engage with balanced generosity and personal passion: inquiring, listening, and sharing
Manage contribution and constraint that allows space for sharing
Prioritize and engage in opportunities while acknowledging boundaries and limitations and follow through on commitments
We design creative and compassionate spaces to work and grow
Actively create space—space to think, space to feel, space to share, space to be
Actively establish norms of support and creating a supportive atmosphere
Create and use reflective and self-care opportunities
Actively welcome feelings and vulnerability and be honest about limits
Be prepared and engaged in the question—sustain reading, discourse, and attention
Be sensitive and explicit about “aha” moments (insights): they often emerge out of irritation as often as from consonance
Be sensitive and explicit about “arrivals” (physical and metaphysical): ideas, opportunities and people “arrive”
Adapted from: Palmer, C.G., Biggs, R. and Cumming, G. (2015). Applied research for enhancing human well-being and environmental stewardship: Using complexity thinking in Southern Africa (Special feature – guest editorial). Ecology and Society 20, 1.
