Abstract for: Participatory System Dynamics for Transdisciplinary Sustainability Research: Mapping Research Gaps, their Interconnections, and

Transdisciplinary sustainability research requires integrating knowledge across disciplines and sectors to address complex environmental, social, and economic challenges. However, collaboration in such settings often faces barriers related to knowledge integration, methodological alignment, and institutional support. This study investigates how participatory system dynamics, particularly causal loop diagrams (CLDs), can support interdisciplinary collaboration, identify research gaps, and map future research pathways within a transdisciplinary academic institution. This study employs a three-stage participatory research design, consisting of expert interviews, CLD development workshops, and validation sessions. Researchers from eight sustainability themes—ranging from climate resilience to digital engineering—engaged in constructing and refining CLDs to capture systemic interactions and knowledge gaps. The study integrates systems thinking to structure interdisciplinary discussions and guide future research planning. Findings highlight that CLDs effectively visualise interconnections, enhance knowledge integration, and foster collaboration across diverse research areas. Participants recognised CLDs as tools for aligning research priorities and structuring sustainability discussions. This study investigates the role of participatory system dynamics in facilitating transdisciplinary research by structuring discussions, enhancing collaboration, and mapping strategic pathways. Future work should explore scaling CLDs for broader institutional applications and embedding them into long-term sustainability planning.