Transcend Discipline was created as a kind of call to action. An appeal to raise the standard of practice.Practitioners around the world are eager to see global development and conservation work be more effective and far more durable. For that to happen, we need to retire conventional models of work and funding that fall short. And we need to challenge ourselves to test new, more innovative ideas that center both conservation and development imperatives. Finding the balance between them should be our obligation and our standard. And, while common sense, an orientation like it represents a fundamental rethink of global practice and philanthropy. It means each of us is working to conserve and develop. Each of us is finding, negotiating, and working at that 'impact sweet spot.' Lofty, achievable, and essential.Transcend Discipline itself was anchored by a first-of-its-kind collaboration of globally recognized practitioners testing changes to strategy, design, and operating models on the ground in East Africa. It has inspired audiences of like-minded practitioners in 145+ countries, and counting. More can be found under Nuts & Bolts.

Prevailing models of work tend to center either conservation or development imperatives. Still. We identify as 'conservationists' or 'development practitioners.' We fund primarily 'environmental work' or 'global development.' We design chiefly for humans or the wild. In reality, we must be both. Fund both. Do both. And be better at both.There has been a recent movement to 'integrate' conservation and development objectives, and showcase an 'interdisciplinary' approach. We believe these efforts still to be too cautious, too incremental, and often more a rebrand than a fundamental rethink of what needs to change at the core of how we work. The case can be made for bolder thinking.Transcend Discipline aims to challenge stale conventions and raise the standard of international practice at the true convergence of our fields. Much more on this can be found under 'The Big Idea' and A Movement for Change.

Elizabeth Walker founded Transcend Discipline and was the creative force behind its work. She has practiced across disciplines and institutions, with leadership experience spanning more than 40 countries and 5 continents. You can find more on the vision and ideas behind her work under Resources. Fellow award-winning practitioners Laly Lichtenfeld, Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka, and Tom Lalampaa joined a founding collaboration, testing and advancing the ideas on the ground with Elizabeth in East Africa.

A chance encounter on the slopes of Mt. Kenya. A belief that together we could have an impact on the conversation and help shift the direction of our fields. And real-world experience that taught each of us how important it is to do work that matters and stand up when things need to change.

While the working collaboration of founding practitioners behind Transcend Discipline has concluded, our individual advocacy has not. The site and the resources available here will remain live and free to download. We want ideas that help inspire change to have the widest possible continued reach.