Why a transdisciplinary approach?
Transdisciplinarity is a fusing of theories, methods and expertise across disciplinary boundaries in which each discipline merges with the others in the formation of a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts. Deep Health as transdisciplinary emphasizes the importance of integrating diverse fields of knowledge and practice.
Looking through a new lens
Current disciplines that are crucial to Deep Health, such as medicine and ecology are separated. Other disciplines like social sciences and economics are also relevant. We advocate for them to be integrated through a Deep Health lens because they are interconnected whether or not we choose to see them that way. In merging them, we are able to think differently and more holistically about the health of humans and the planet.
Helping to address the crisis
People we interviewed immediately recognised the importance of Deep Health being transdisciplinary. They could see the appeal to a wide variety of people working in health and ecology but also to 'people who are looking at the bigger solutions to the crises that humans and the planet are facing'.
Reframing our thinking and approach
Many people viewed Deep Health as an opportunity to critically reframe how we think about health. In order to do this, we must first bring different people and disciplines together and unify behind the problem and the purpose
