Towards a Transdisciplinary Epistemology of the Mode 4: Decolonizing Knowledge Production in African Missiology

This pioneering article offers a sweeping, paradigm-shifting exploration of the revolutionary emergence of "Mode 4" knowledge production—a fundamental reconceptualization of the epistemological, organizational, and methodological foundations of research and innovation within the field of African missiology. Drawing on cutting-edge theoretical frameworks from post-normal science, sustainability science, the science of integration, decolonial studies, and postcolonial theory, this work argues that Mode 4 represents a transformative leap towards a more collaborative, transdisciplinary, and adaptive approach to knowledge creation—one that holds the potential to catalyze a profound and lasting transformation in the way African missionaries conceive of, organize, and mobilize research to address the complex, interconnected challenges facing their communities. At the heart of this paradigm shift lies the groundbreaking "decuple helix" framework, which expands the scope of stakeholder engagement and knowledge co-creation to incorporate a comprehensive range of actors, from academia and industry to marginalized communities, the natural environment, and international organizations. By situating this revolutionary approach within the context of African missiology, the article delves deeply into the multifaceted roles and invaluable contributions of this diverse array of stakeholders, demonstrating how their active integration can unlock the transformative power of collaborative, values-oriented research and innovation for decolonizing and reimagining missionary praxis.