i2S publications

A selection of Integration and Implementation Sciences (i2S) publications is presented. These aim to provide a targeted reading list for anyone interested in finding out more, as well as to chart major developments in i2S.

Key publications are presented under the first five of the following headings, with publications and additional information recording the development of i2S provided under the sixth heading “Historical notes”:

  1. The i2S theoretical framework
  2. Compilations on unknowns and change
  3. Toolkits and tools
  4. Linking different approaches to tackling complex societal and environmental problems
  5. Supporting transdisciplinarity
  6. Historical notes

1. The i2S theoretical framework

The development of a theoretical framework for tackling complex societal and environmental problems is the major contribution made by i2S. Key publications about the current and previous frameworks are presented.

Current framework

The current (third) version of the theoretical framework is described in an i2Insights blog post:

Elaborations are provided in two primers (with more planned) on stakeholder engagement and understanding diversity.

The previous (second) version of the framework is elaborated in:

  • Bammer, G. (2013). Disciplining interdisciplinarity: Integration and Implementation Sciences for researching complex real-world problems. ANU E-Press: Canberra, Australia. (Online – open access) (DOI): http://dx.doi.org/10.22459/DI.01.2013
    This book also contains 24 edited commentaries by Simon Bronitt; L. David Brown; Marcel Bursztyn and Maria Beatriz Maury; Lawrence Cram; Ian Elsum; Holly J. Falk-Krzesinski; Fasihuddin; Howard Gadlin and L. Michelle Bennett; Budi Haryanto; Julie Thompson Klein; Ted Lefroy; Catherine Lyall; M. Duane Nellis; Linda Neuhauser, Deborah O’Connell with Damien Farine, Michael O’Connor and Michael Dunlop; Michael O’Rourke; Christian Pohl; Merritt Polk; Alison Ritter; Alice Roughley; Michael Smithson; Daniel Walker; Michael Wesley; Glenn Withers.

Short versions of the second version of the framework are available at:

While this framework was valuable in many ways, it turned out not to be useful for organising the tools (concepts, methods, framework etc), with that organisation being key to i2S. The current framework (i2S 3.0) was derived in conjunction with cataloguing contributions to i2Insights and therefore provides a way of organising the tools. The organisation of tools into main topics (categories) has been robust, providing a useful way of cataloguing all of the i2Insights contributions received to date.

The original version of the framework is presented in:

The basic ideas were largely laid out in this framework and then refined further in the second and third versions of the framework.

2. Compilations on unknowns and change

Understanding and managing unknowns and change are two central components of the i2S theoretical framework. An early realisation was how fragmented—across disciplines and practice—knowledge about both unknowns and change is, which led to projects bringing together an array of perspectives, producing the following books, both of which are still current:

3. Toolkits and tools

A major purpose of the i2S theoretical framework is to provide a way of organising tools for tackling complex societal and environmental problems.

i2Insights blog and repository provides a toolkit for i2S, with a collection of concepts, methods, processes, frameworks, and theories. An overview of this toolkit (or repository) function of i2Insights is available at:

In addition to i2Insights blog and repository, an important i2S project was compiling a book of dialogue methods, which is still useful:

  • McDonald, D., Bammer, G. and Deane P. (2009). Research integration using dialogue methods. ANU E-Press: Canberra, Australia. (Online – open access) (DOI): http://doi.org/10.22459/RIUDM.08.2009

The development of i2S has not involved the development of new tools, with one exception, which is the i2S Stakeholder Engagement Options Framework. Descriptions are available in the following i2Insights posts:

The i2Insights blog and repository was a key case study for a paper on when and how to develop new toolkits and the expertise required:

  • Laursen, B., Vienni-Baptista, B., Bammer, G., Di Giulio, A., Paulsen, T., Robson-Williams, M. and Studer, S. (2024). Toolkitting: An unrecognized form of expertise for overcoming fragmentation in inter- and transdisciplinarity. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 11: 857. (Online – open access) (DOI): https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-024-03279-9

4. Linking different approaches to tackling complex societal and environmental problems

Core to i2S is to draw together and draw from the many different approaches to tackling complex societal and environmental problems, including inter- and transdisciplinarity, systems thinking, action research, post-normal science, implementation science, and the science of team science. This is elaborated in:

  • Bammer, G., O’Rourke, M., O’Connell, D., Neuhauser, L., Midgley, G., Klein, J. T., Grigg, N. J., Gadlin, H., Elsum, I. R., Bursztyn, M., Fulton, E.A., Pohl, C., Smithson, M., Vilsmaier, U., Bergmann, M., Jaeger, J., Merkx, F., Vienni Baptista, B., Burgman, M. A., Walker, D. H., Young, J., Bradbury, H., Crawford, L., Haryanto, B., Pachanee, C., Polk, M. and Richardson, G. P. (2020). Expertise in research integration and implementation for tackling complex problems: When is it needed, where can it be found and how can it be strengthened? Palgrave Communications, 6, 5. (Online – open access) (DOI): https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-019-0380-0; and, https://www.nature.com/articles/s41599-019-0380-0

Another relevant publication provides a more personal account for combining approaches:

  • Bammer, G. (2018). Strengthening community operational research through exchange of tools and strategic alliances. European Journal of Operational Research, 268, 3: 1168-1177. (Online – open access) (DOI): https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejor.2017.09.041

5. Supporting transdisciplinarity

Despite the main focus of i2S on linking multiple approaches as described above, some i2S publications have supported the significant international focus on strengthening transdisciplinarity. Most of this work has also sought to broaden the transdisciplinary approach by illustrating the connections to other approaches, such as systems thinking, action research, implementation science and the science of team science.

The journal GAIA which focuses on sustainability provided an opportunity to develop two compilations with brief descriptions of, respectively, toolkits and frameworks:

An initiative at The Australian National University (ANU) to introduce the graduate attribute “Capability to employ discipline-based knowledge in transdisciplinary problem solving,” meaning that all undergraduates commencing in 2025 would have this capability by the time they graduated, led to the development of the ANU framework for transdisciplinary problem solving, described in:

  • Bammer, G., Browne, C. A., Ballard, C., Lloyd, N., Kevan, A., Neales, N., Nurmikko-Fuller, T., Perera, S., Singhal, I. and van Kerkhoff, L. (2023). Setting parameters for developing undergraduate expertise in transdisciplinary problem solving at a university-wide scale: a case study. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 10: 208. (Online – open access) (DOI): https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-023-01709-8

It also led to the world-first development of a Library Guide: https://libguides.anu.edu.au/transdisciplinary-problem-solving

6. Historical notes

Anyone interested in the historical and broader development of i2S may find the following useful:

A full list of publications is available at: https://researchportalplus.anu.edu.au/en/persons/gabriele-bammer/publications/

There are two historical images related to the second version of the i2S framework:

  1. three i2S domains
  2. i2S framework with the three domains and five questions.

Three i2S domains

These domains depict the three key elements of i2S in the superseded second version of the i2S framework. They also highlight the importance of formulating policy and practice change taking into account unknowns and not solely relying on existing evidence.

Three blocks linked together in a Y shape, with text in each block depicting one each of the three domains of i2S

Full i2S framework

This version of the full superseded second version of the i2S framework builts on the three domains image, by labelling each side of the pentagons with the key elements of the five questions which are also an integral part of the framework.

A single block with four tool types labelled within it and the five i2S questions detailed outside of it

Book details:

Book cover for Gabriele Bammer and Michael Smithson (eds) book Uncertainty and Risk (2008)

Uncertainty and risk: Multidisciplinary perspectives (2008), Gabriele Bammer and Michael Smithson (eds), Earthscan Risk in Society Series, London, 382pp.

To purchase ‘Uncertainty and risk’:

Unknowns (including uncertainty and risk) are a key component of the i2S framework. For more on unknowns, see:

The project which produced the book was funded by the Drug Policy Modelling Program.

Book launch of ‘Uncertainty and risk’:

Uncertainty and risk: Multidisciplinary perspectives was launched by Professor Michael Wesley, Griffith Asia Institute and ARC Centre of Excellence in Policing and Security, on 8 May 2008 at The Australian National University.

Audio recording is available as an MP3 file (51 minutes; 18MB).

SlowTV video recording (two part) of the book launch via The Monthly’s YouTube account:

Three photographs from the book launch of Uncertainty and risk: Multidisciplinary perspectives

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Photograph 1:

Five people standing in a row launching the book Uncertainty and Risk on 8th May 2008 (from left to right, Professor Lawrence Cram; Professor Michael Wesley; Professor Gabriele Bammer; Associate Professor Alison Ritter; Professor Michael Smithson)
Those involved in the book launch on 8 May 2008 were, from left to right above, Professor Lawrence Cram (Deputy Vice-Chancellor, The Australian National University), Professor Michael Wesley (Griffith Asia Institute and ARC Centre of Excellence in Policing and Security), Professor Gabriele Bammer (National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, The Australian National University and Hauser Center for Nonprofit Organizations, Harvard University), Associate Professor Alison Ritter (Director, Drug Policy Modelling Program, University of New South Wales), and Professor Michael Smithson (School of Psychology, The Australian National University).

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Photograph 2:

Professor Michael Wesley launching the book Uncertainty and Risk on 8 May 2008
Professor Michael Wesley launching the book Uncertainty and Risk on 8 May 2008

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Photograph 3:

Professor Michael Wesley launching the book Uncertainty and Risk on 8 May 2008
Launching the book and discussing ‘Risk, Uncertainty and the Future of National Security’ was Professor Michael Wesley (Griffith Asia Institute and ARC Centre of Excellence in Policing and Security).

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External reviews (last updated June 2012)

    • Peace, Chris. (2012). Living with Uncertainty [review of the book Uncertainty and risk: Multidisciplinary perspectives]. In, Risk Management Ltd. Retrieved June 2012, from from: https://i2insights.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/i2s_uncertainty.pdf (PDF 23KB).
    • Regős, Gábor (2012). [Review of the book Uncertainty and risk: Multidisciplinary perspectives]. Journal of Risk and Insurance, 79, 2: 591-593.
    • Misra, Krishna B. (2010). Uncertainty and risk: Multidisciplinary perspectives [review of the book Uncertainty and risk: Multidisciplinary perspectives]. International Journal of Performability Engineering, 6, 6: 594.
    • Heyman, Bob. (2009). Risk and uncertainty: A review of three recent texts [review of the book Uncertainty and risk: Multidisciplinary perspectives]. Health, Risk & Society, 11, 1: 87-90.
    • Simons, Greg. (2009). Uncertainty and risk: Multidisciplinary perspectives [review of the book Uncertainty and risk: Multidisciplinary perspectives]. Journal of Contingencies and Crisis Management, 17, 2: 141-141.
    • Ignorance and uncertainty: Academic orphans. (2008). [Review of the book Uncertainty and risk: Multidisciplinary perspectives]. Decision Point, 23, October. Retrieved June 2015, from: https://i2insights.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/i2s_dpoint_23.pdf (PDF 1.1MB).
    • Eckermann , Liz. (2008). Uncertainty and risk: Multidisciplinary perspectives [review of the book Uncertainty and risk: Multidisciplinary perspectives]. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 35, 1.
  • There are additional reviews on the back cover of the book.

Commentaries:

Book cover for Gabriele Bammer's 2012 report Strengthening Interdisciplinary Research Report details:

The Australian Council of Learned Academies (ACoLA), which represents the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia, the Australian Academy of Science, the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering, and the Australian Academy of the Humanities, commissioned the following report:

Report launch:

The report was launched by Australia’s Chief Scientist, Professor Ian Chubb, at a workshop on April 3, 2011. Other speakers at the workshop were:

  • Professor Suzanne Cory, President of the Australian Council of Learned Academies and of the Australian Academy of Science
  • Professor Marian Sims, Executive Director for Social, Behavioural and Economic Sciences, Australian Research Council
  • Professor Tony Peacock, Chief Executive, Cooperative Research Centres Association
  • Dr Dan Walker, Deputy Chief, CSIRO Ecosystem Sciences
  • Dr Sally Gras, Senior Lecturer – Bioprocess Engineering, University of Melbourne

Stories about the report:

  1. A newspaper article was published in the Higher Education Supplement of The Australian: Bammer, G. (2012, March 28). The case for a team research framework (PDF 20KB). The Australian, p. 30.
  2. A story was published in The Australian National University’s On Campus newsletter on April 4, 2012 (link no longer available).
  3. A story was published in Campus Review on April 10, 2012 (PDF 100KB).

Photographs from the launch:

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Photograph 1:

Professor Gabriele Bammer at the ACoLA Strengthening Interdisciplinary Research report launch
Professor Gabriele Bammer

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Photograph 2:

Professor Ian Chubb launching the ACoLA Strengthening Interdisciplinary Research report
Professor Ian Chubb launching the report

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Photograph 3:

Professors Ian Chubb and Gabriele Bammer at the ACoLA Strengthening Interdisciplinary Research report launch
Professors Ian Chubb and Gabriele Bammer

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Photograph 4:

Professor Suzanne Cory at the ACoLA Strengthening Interdisciplinary Research report launch
Professor Suzanne Cory

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Photograph 5:

Professor Marian Sims at the ACoLA Strengthening Interdisciplinary Research report launch
Professor Marian Sims

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Photograph 6:

Professor Tony Peacock at the ACoLA Strengthening Interdisciplinary Research report launch
Professor Tony Peacock

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Photograph 7:

Dr Dan Walker at the ACoLA Strengthening Interdisciplinary Research report launch
Dr Dan Walker

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Photograph 8:

Dr Sally Gras at the ACoLA Strengthening Interdisciplinary Research report launch
Dr Sally Gras

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Photograph 9:

Professor Robert Williamson and guests at the ACoLA Strengthening Interdisciplinary Research report launch
Master of Ceremonies Professor Robert Williamson (second from left) with guests Professors Robin Batterham, Gustav Nossal and Frederick Mendelssohn

Integration Insights are 12 digests of concepts, techniques or real-world examples relevant to Integration and Implementation Sciences (i2S). These provide brief introductions to the three domains of synthesising disciplinary and stakeholder knowledge, understanding and managing diverse unknowns, and providing integrated research support for policy and practice change (which was the original framework for i2S). Integration Insights are also available through the web archive Pandora, see: http://nla.gov.au/nla.arc-65714

In November 2015 Integration Insights was replaced by the Integration and Implementation Insights (i2Insights) blog and repository.

Review of the book ‘Change: Combining analytic wisdom with street wisdom’

Bradbury, H. (2015). Review of Gabriele Bammer, Ed. (2015). Change! (review of the book ‘Change: Combining analytic wisdom with street wisdom’). In, AR+Action Research Forum. Retrieved October 2015, from: https://actionresearchplus.com/review-of-gabriele-bammer-ed-2015-change/

Review of the book ‘Bridging the ‘know-do’ gap: Knowledge brokering to improve child wellbeing’, plus book details

Baur, L. A. (2011). Bridging the ‘know-do’ gap. Knowledge brokering to improve child well-being. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 35, 6: 584-585. 

Bridging the ‘know-do’ gap: Knowledge brokering to improve child wellbeing (2010), edited by Gabriele Bammer with Annette Michaux and Ann Sanson. ANU Press, Canberra, 163pp. The book is available from the ANU Press as a free downloadable e-book. A flyer (PDF 784KB) is also available.

  • Page updated: November 13, 2025