Co-creating transformative knowledge: Inter- and transdisciplinary research in practice

Abstract

The Summer School strengthens master’s and PhD students’ competences in interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research, focusing on co-creating transformative knowledge with diverse actors. Through hands-on tools, and collaborative experiments, participants explore challenges in designing and conducting research that meaningfully responds to societal needs.

Objective

Doing science with society requires rethinking how knowledge is produced and who is involved in its creation. Increasingly, academic research and knowledge production extend beyond disciplinary boundaries, engaging a wider range of societal actors who bring diverse forms of knowledge. This shift requires both recognition and active integration of different cultural and disciplinary perspectives. This Summer School is framed within the ENHANCE Alliance (The European Universities of Technology Alliance). In an experiential setting, the Summer School will offer practical guidance for Master and PhD students embarking on or curious about interdisciplinary or transdisciplinary research—projects that involve co-creating socially-relevant transformative knowledge in collaboration with diverse actors. It draws on a rich overview of the research process and career pathways, offering tools and resources to enhance collaboration across disciplines, sectors and civil society. Through hands-on experimentation with selected tools, participants will explore key challenges in designing, investigating and conducting research that is responsive to societal needs. At the end of the summer school students are able to: • Jointly-frame, and analyse complex societal and environmental problems, and evaluate their potential societal impacts. • Critically reflect on the strengths and limitations of their own perspectives, positionality, and epistemic assumptions. • Develop a broader understanding of collaborative constellations and processes involved in addressing real-world challenges.

Content

Combining conceptual insights, empirical examples, a site visit and interactive exercises, the summer school builds on participants’ prior experiences while remaining accessible to newcomers. It is designed to foster inter- and transdisciplinary (ITD) integration, reflexivity, and collaboration. The course focuses on four key modules representing the phases of the ITD research process: a) Understanding Inter- & Transdisciplinary Research What inter- and transdisciplinary research are, their conceptual and methodological foundations, when and why to pursue them, their relevance for addressing complex societal and environmental challenges, and guiding principles for effective design (at the project, process and outcome levels). b) Developing Collaborative Conditions How to build cohesive teams across diverse disciplinary backgrounds, working cultures, and knowledge systems; understanding different dimensions of integration; cultivating reflexivity within teams. c) Co-creating a Research Project How to integrate diverse perspectives and select appropriate methods and tools to collaboratively address real-world challenges. Participants will work in small interdisciplinary teams to test methods and tools and compare inter- or transdisciplinary research processes. d) Improving Research Skills and Competencies Developing practical competencies and skills essential for inter- and transdisciplinary research, including critical and creative thinking, engagement with diverse societal actors, and reflexive self-assessment. Participants will learn to document and share inter- or transdisciplinary processes and outcomes, and critically reflect on their positionality and career paths and the societal impact of research collaborations. To approach these topics participants will work on two case studies to gain hands-on experience on inter- and transdisciplinary research. Researchers and practitioners involved in the case studies will present their experiences in the cases: (i) integrated assessment models for sustainable development (DIAMOND) and (ii) coordinated interactions among researchers and partners in the energy system (CoSi). A third case will be introduced to discuss the governance, funding and evaluation of inter- and transdisciplinary research (INTERSECTIONS). A site visit in Zurich is planned to complement the concepts and methods explored during the Summer School. This excursion will feature a of interdisciplinary or transdisciplinary research in Switzerland, offering participants the opportunity to engage directly with researchers and practitioners, observe collaborative processes in action, and reflect on the real-world application of inter- and transdisciplinary approaches.

Resources