Conduct transdisciplinary research to address volcanic ash crisis

In the previous post, we learned that volcanic ash is socially disruptive in health, mobility and economics, and further reveals the systematic issues of risk management. Therefore, different stakeholders need to be included in transdisciplinary research to deal with destructive volcanic ash.

First and foremost, we need to understand why it is a necessity to conduct transdisciplinary research.

Figure 1. The mechanism of transdisciplinary research Source: Bracken 2017

Transdisciplinary research includes participants who are related to or interested in the same research topic (see Figure 1). It has grown to represent a significant shift in the focus of research agendas towards usefulness. On this basis, transdisciplinary research can better represent stakeholders’ interests and improve the efficiency of solving social-environmental problems.

Figure 2. A schematic depiction of various actors in dealing with a volcanic ash emergency for aviation Source: Alexander 2013

Conducting transdisciplinary research needs different types of knowledge. Figure 2 shows that managing volcanic ash requires knowledge from both physical (e.g. volcanology and meteorology) and social science (e.g. air-traffic control). Based on this, we could list several key stakeholders who possess relevant information:

(1) Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC):

It is a team of professionals (e.g. volcanologists) tasked with organising and sharing information about volcanic ash clouds that might be dangerous for aviation. Until 2019, there have been 9 VAACs throughout the world, each of which focuses on a certain geographical area (see Figure 3). They should be involved in a transdisciplinary research group as their research includes real-time analysis of satellite data, ground and pilot observations and ash dispersal models, which are particularly useful to examine ‘eruption dynamics’ and estimate ‘eruption plume’ in figure 2.

Figure 3. 9 VAACs across the world Source: Wikimedia Commons 2009

(2) Meteorological office:

Similar to VAACs, meteorological offices in different countries can also provide up-to-date meteorological information regarding ash concentrations. Often the ash clouds do not pose an even threat to aviation, therefore it is of great help for meteorological offices to be involved in transdisciplinary research to offer precise volcanic ash monitoring statistics by employing digital models such as Numerical Atmospheric-dispersion Modelling Environment.

(3) International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO):

Within a transdisciplinary research group studying volcanic ash, we cannot miss ICAO, which can adjust air-traffic control policies. Its focus on risk management of flight operations pushed it to arrange the International Volcanic Ash Force Meeting to present a contingency plan for the Europe and North Atlantic regions right after Eyjafjallajökull’s eruption in May 2010. This emergency plan covers potential pilot problems in the face of volcanic ash as well as suggested states' and other operators' actions, setting up a template for future aviation control in the face of volcanic ash.

(4) Government for transportation:

It should participate in transdisciplinary research to contribute to ‘civil contingency planning’ in figure 2. For example, the transport department can launch specific policies to produce advanced flight turbines which are more tolerant to fine volcanic ash.

Many other stakeholders are not on the list. If all of them are willing to collaborate on the research of volcanic ash, I believe that the socio-environmental damage caused by those small particles will be greatly reduced in the future.