Advancing hydrology for societal impact: integrating transdisciplinary frameworks to bridge research and practice

As hydrology faces the mounting pressures of climate change, researchers grapple with translating their technical advancements into societal impact. Traditional hydrology research often isolates technical solutions, such as optimizing water flows or predicting droughts, from the broader socio-economic, ecological and policy contexts in which water issues unfold. This compartmentalization limits the effectiveness of hydrological research in addressing complex, interconnected water challenges. Transdisciplinary (TD) approaches offer a path forward, emphasizing the integration of diverse knowledge sources, the co-production of solutions with community and policy stakeholders and a reflexive stance that acknowledges researchers’ positionality and assumptions. This article advocates for adopting well-established frameworks from other fields to transcend disciplinary boundaries, fostering actionable solutions that resonate with societal needs. By leveraging structured frameworks to manage technical uncertainties, synthesize knowledge and prioritize contextual relevance, hydrologists can enhance the real-world impact of their research. We propose four guiding principles for incorporating TD practice into hydrology and offer five guiding questions to support hydrologists in guiding their shift towards societal impact. We aim to build a research practice that advances scientific understanding and addresses urgent water challenges through collaborative, socially engaged and context-sensitive approaches. This article is part of the discussion meeting issue ‘Hydrology in the 21st century: challenges in science, to policy and practice’.