Abstract
Cognition is at the core of information processing, generation of knowledge, learning,
communication, problem-solving, decision-making, and more. Yet in One Health, cognition remains under-acknowledged, and cognitive diversity is rarely considered when addressing fundamental challenges such as siloed thinking or stakeholder communication. This thesis explores the role of cognitive diversity in One Health through the lens of antimicrobial resistance. A structured search on the literature on antimicrobial resistance, One Health, and cognitive diversity and cognition showed the limitations of a formulaic search strategy. It revealed a conceptual gap regarding the recognition of cognitive diversity as a dimension in the One Health discourse. The empirical part consisted of four semi-structured interviews with two microbiologists and two bioartists. Through reflexive thematic analysis, three themes were identified: freedom, operating inside and outside of systems, and communication. In addition, the affective undercurrent of emotion was detected. The findings are presented and
discussed in an integrated chapter. The thesis discusses both deliberate and unintended disparities in One Health and the field of antimicrobial resistance, as well as the under-explored cognitive landscape within the One Health framework. The thesis concludes that cognition and its diversity should be recognised as an ontological feature, shaping both the internal challenges of One Health itself and those addressed through it—in this thesis exemplified with antimicrobial resistance—such as siloed thinking, stakeholder communication, or meaningful implementation of research findings. Recognising cognitive diversity could facilitate core competencies of One Health, such as inclusiveness and transdisciplinary collaboration. The inclusion of cognitive diversity could shape research questions and help reduce existing biases within One Health.
communication, problem-solving, decision-making, and more. Yet in One Health, cognition remains under-acknowledged, and cognitive diversity is rarely considered when addressing fundamental challenges such as siloed thinking or stakeholder communication. This thesis explores the role of cognitive diversity in One Health through the lens of antimicrobial resistance. A structured search on the literature on antimicrobial resistance, One Health, and cognitive diversity and cognition showed the limitations of a formulaic search strategy. It revealed a conceptual gap regarding the recognition of cognitive diversity as a dimension in the One Health discourse. The empirical part consisted of four semi-structured interviews with two microbiologists and two bioartists. Through reflexive thematic analysis, three themes were identified: freedom, operating inside and outside of systems, and communication. In addition, the affective undercurrent of emotion was detected. The findings are presented and
discussed in an integrated chapter. The thesis discusses both deliberate and unintended disparities in One Health and the field of antimicrobial resistance, as well as the under-explored cognitive landscape within the One Health framework. The thesis concludes that cognition and its diversity should be recognised as an ontological feature, shaping both the internal challenges of One Health itself and those addressed through it—in this thesis exemplified with antimicrobial resistance—such as siloed thinking, stakeholder communication, or meaningful implementation of research findings. Recognising cognitive diversity could facilitate core competencies of One Health, such as inclusiveness and transdisciplinary collaboration. The inclusion of cognitive diversity could shape research questions and help reduce existing biases within One Health.
| Original language | English |
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| Supervisors/Advisors |
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| Publication status | Published - 2025 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)
- Cognitive diversity
- One Health
- Antimicrobial resistance