Wicked Scientists
A wicked scientist needs a unique set of skills to tackle wicked problems. This means being open to working with experts from different fields and using a big-picture approach called systemic thinking. Instead of focusing on fixing individual parts, systemic thinking looks at how everything in a system is connected. For simple problems, you might have one person making decisions from the top down. But for wicked problems, it’s all about collaboration and considering many perspectives. To get started, wicked scientists look for key points where they can make the most impact, identify everyone involved, and map out the different aspects of the problem. This helps narrow down where to begin tackling the issue.
Wicked Scientists are valuable in different environments
Those able to problem solve in different ways and understand the value of working across disciplines are ideal researchers, employees, and overall citizens.
In Academia
In academia, understanding the importance of collaboration and acknowledging the interrelated nature of challenges is crucial. Often, an outsider’s perspective can enhance the understanding of a researcher’s problem. Collaborations elevate research outcomes, attracting increased funding opportunities favoring interdisciplinary teamwork and multi-primary researcher projects.
In Industry
Wicked problems can impact companies through factors such as public perception or disruptions in supply chains influencing product sales. Companies promoting solutions over products must recognize the interconnectedness of wicked problems. Addressing one issue may inadvertently affect others. Hence, it’s vital for these companies to understand their broader impact and collaborate with others to address interconnected challenges collectively.
Characteristics of Wicked Problems
Part of the struggle of addressing wicked problems is the difficulty of defining what makes a problem wicked. Many researchers have attempted to come up with specific characteristics of wicked problems, beginning with the 10 characteristics originally proposed by Rittel and Weber (1973). However, the vast differences between wicked problems make finding characteristics that apply to all of them very challenging. The Spring 2024 ANTHROP 5505 students have adapted the following 7 characteristics from class reading sources and discussions on what they think best define wicked problems in today’s language.
1. There is no universal agreement on the definition of a wicked problem
Other definitions:
- Solutions are limited by the given definition of the problem
- Neither problem nor solution is clear
- Problem definitions are individual, and change based on the individual’s frame of reference and experience
Viewing wicked problems through different lenses can lead to varied perspectives and definitions. Policy makers may see food scarcity as a policy issue, solvable by better trade policies. Scientists and farmers view it as an environmental challenge, addressable through new agricultural techniques. Both perspectives offer valid solutions to the same problem.
2. There is no universal agreement on when a wicked problem is fixed
Other definitions:
- The problem will continue to need innovative solutions as time goes on
- Wicked problems have no stopping rule
- There will always more work to be done, and if it is sufficiently fixed, more problems will arise, or related problems will still exist
Some wicked problems, like systemic racism, are so deeply rooted that they may never have a clear solution. While some see the end of discrimination policies and rules as the end of the problem, others believe it is when all biased views disappear. Since solutions involve creating fair systems and promoting equitable attitudes, the work to address systemic racism as a wicked problem is ongoing, with no definitive endpoint.
3. Solutions to wicked problems are not true-or-false, but good-or-bad
Other definitions:
- One needs to choose the solution that is the best fit for those involved given the known criteria
Wicked problems, like biodiversity loss, lack simple solutions and quick fixes. Once a species goes extinct, reintroducing involves a complex set of decisions, not a binary choice. Factors like ecosystem adaptation, predator-prey interactions, invasive species, and population impact must be considered. Solutions require balancing benefits and costs for the best possible outcome, because there isn’t a single “right” one.
4. Each implemented solution becomes part of the problem for the next attempted solution
Other definitions:
- Every solution is a one-shot operation
- There are consequences to every implemented solution
Wicked problems evolve with each attempted solution, creating new challenges. Policy changes like minimum wage laws and affordable housing projects aimed at tackling homelessness altered the problem’s structure. While they didn’t eliminate homelessness, they introduced new issues like stigma around accessing resources. Each solution changes the problem’s form, affecting future approaches, and potentially being incorporated into the problem itself.
5. Each wicked problem has potentially infinite possible solutions
Other definitions:
- Wicked problems have an unlimited set of potential solutions
- Definitions of wicked problems can vary widely between individuals who have different understandings of the parameters of the problem
- There will always be more solutions not thought of when attempting to address a wicked problem
Wicked problems lack clear solutions or endpoints but offer many potential ways to alleviate aspects of the issue. For example, access to healthcare as a wicked problem has solutions that can come from various angles like finance, policy, or social support. With ever-evolving technology and perspectives, new solutions continue to emerge. There will always be more options to explore, making it impossible to exhaust all possibilities for addressing a wicked problem.
6. Wicked problems are interconnected, and addressing one impacts many others
Other definitions:
- Every wicked problem can be considered a symptom of another problem
- The interconnectedness of wicked problems increases the likelihood of unforeseen consequences for any attempts at a solution
Wicked problems, like criminal justice reform, are interconnected with other challenges such as mass incarceration, poverty, mental health, substance abuse, and racial disparities. Addressing one affects the others. For instance, changes in criminal justice reform impact mass incarceration and racial disparities. Likewise, alterations to these issues reciprocally affect criminal justice reform.
7. There are multiple stakeholders with conflicting values and interests that impact any solution chosen
Other definitions:
- Wicked problems involve a multitude of stakeholders with varying interests, values, and perspectives, who complicate the problem-solving process by necessitating the consideration of many different and sometimes conflicting viewpoints
Gentrification, a wicked problem, involves diverse stakeholders with conflicting goals. Residents want to preserve community identity, while developers seek profit. City officials must balance these interests to improve the area without displacing residents. Within the community, diverse perceptions based on culture and income add complexity. Solving gentrification requires reconciling these perspectives before developing shared goals and solutions.