Abstract

Contemporary global challenges—from climate change and public health crises to digital transformation and social inequality—exhibit unprecedented complexity that transcends traditional disciplinary boundaries. Despite decades of advocacy for interdisciplinary approaches, research and policy communities remain largely fragmented, producing siloed knowledge that fails to address the interconnected nature of real-world problems. This review article examines integrative multidisciplinary research frameworks that systematically bridge science, technology, engineering, social systems, and sustainable development. Drawing on systems theory, socio-technical integration models, and convergence research paradigms, the article analyses conceptual frameworks that enable translational research and evidence-based policy formation. Key frameworks examined include the SSPT (System-Social-Process-Tooling) framework for managing complexity in multidisciplinary design, Fuzzy SETS (Social-Ecological-Technological Systems) for acknowledging multiple epistemological perspectives, and the Sustainable Public Innovation Ecosystem model for governance integration. The article explores applications across climate resilience, digital infrastructure, public health, and sustainable urban development, demonstrating how cross-sectoral collaboration produces measurable sustainability outcomes. Implementation models are evaluated through the Global Impact Analytics Framework and Technology Readiness Levels adapted for implementation science. Three comparative tables synthesise framework characteristics, sectoral applications, and implementation considerations. Findings indicate that successful multidisciplinary integration requires not merely technical interoperability but epistemological pluralism, institutional adaptability, and governance mechanisms that bridge global policy frameworks with local implementation contexts. The article concludes that integrative frameworks represent essential infrastructure for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and recommends institutional reforms to support transdisciplinary collaboration, data governance, and evidence-based policy translation.