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Transdisciplinary Case Study
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 16:37:41
Abstract
This course is a research-based teaching activity that takes place in a real-world setting. Students work independently in groups and learn to formulate research questions, to apply methods of data collection and analysis and to work in an interdisciplinary team and in close dialogue with society.In 2024, the case is the UNESCO Biosphere Entlebuch, a region in the Swiss Canton of Lucerne.
Objective
Students learn how to plan and implement their research work in interdisciplinary, intercultural teams of students and in close exchange with a local advisory group. This includes: structuring wicked real-world problems; deriving relevant research gaps and corresponding research questions; designing research plans; developing ethics proposal; applying qualitative and quantitative data collection and data analysis methods; working in interdisciplinary and intercultural teams; organising transdisciplinary collaboration between science and society.
Content
The case study in the spring semester 2024 will be carried out together with the UNESCO Biosphere Entlebuch. The general topic is developed together with a local advisory group before the start of semester and serves as the starting point for the students' work. To this end, the general topic will be analysed, structured and translated into concrete research questions, which are then to be answered. The following people coach and support the students in the 2024 case study: • Prof. Dr. Michael Stauffacher (responsible lecturer, co-director TdLab, ETH Zürich) • Florian Knaus, MSc ETH (scientific coordinator, UNESCO Biosphere Entlebuch) • Dr. Bianca Vienni Baptista (Senior Researcher/Lecturer, TdLab, ETH Zürich) • Sandro Bösch (administrative, organisational support, TdLab, ETH Zürich) During the case study, we are closely collaborating with students and lecturers from the • Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK), Master in Transdisciplinarity, Prof. Irene Vögeli and Prof. Patrick Müller Advisory group: We will be supported on site by a local advisory group that will meet at least once before (January 2024), once during (March 2024) and once after the semester (fall 2024).
Resources
Learning Materials (Links)
General Information
- Language
- English
- Levels
- MSC
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- ungraded semester performance
Registration & Places
- Signup End
- 18.02.2024
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| practical/laboratory course |
Transdisciplinary Case Study
In addition to the compulsory weekly Wednesday slots (14h15-18h00, plus approx. 2 hrs. homework per week), the course is organised as block course with the following compulsory elements:
- Two block days: Thursday-Friday, 8-9 March (tbc)
- Three block weeks (after the semester end) from Monday 17 June until Wednesday 3 July (tbc)
Note that there will be an information event on the tdCS24: Tuesday 12 December 17h15, room CHN K77 (TdLab)
Please note that German language skills are an advantage but not a prerequisite for participation. Nevertheless, you should be aware that many documents and interactions with the actors will be mainly in (Swiss) German.
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210 h semesterly |
Offered In
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Sustainable Agricultural Development (The minor Transdisciplinarity for Sustainable Development was revised and renamed for the academic year 22/23. The course units that were previously offered are still part of the Sustainable Agricultural Development minor.)
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Electives (The entire course programs of ETH Zurich and the University of Zurich are open to the students to individual selection. The students have themselves to check whether they meet the admission requirements for a course.)
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