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This article studies the reorganisation of research communities in a context characterised by tension between increasing calls for inter- and transdisciplinary research (ITDR) and the persistent structuring, functioning and evaluation of scientific research on a mainly disciplinary basis. We focus on the case of the French LTSER platforms, the ‘Zones Ateliers’ (ZAs), which are committed to ITDR on social-ecological systems, drawing on in-depth interviews with their leaders, analysis of their applications for creation or renewal and bibliometric data. We use the two concepts of boundary organisation and meta-organisation to analyse the organisational aspects of ZAs. We show that ZAs are not only quasi boundary organisations, as is often emphasised, but also research-based meta-organisations, which is ignored but has important implications for their functioning and dynamics. Our study also shows that ZAs have so far had a limited impact on the organisation of research communities, and that the levels of inter- and transdisciplinarity in their bodies, projects and publications have recently increased but remain relatively low. Our article contributes to the literature about LTSER platforms by exploring the relationship between their type of organisation and what they can achieve to promote ITDR. It also contributes to the literature about boundary organisations and meta-organisations, by clarifying their similarities and differences, as well as their limitations and added value for investigating the organisational aspects of initiatives to promote ITDR.
•Organisation in ITDR matters and deserves attention.•The French LTSER platforms are quasi boundary organisations.•They are also meta-organisations with a strong base in the life sciences.•This limits what they can achieve as quasi boundary organisations.•Collective reflection is needed to better utilise the range of possible organisational arrangements.