Session 2.1
Introducing Transdisciplinarity: Two Cinematic Approaches
Anja Steglich 1, Audrey Podann 1, Ina Opitz 2, Nadin Gaasch 2
1 Technische Universität Berlin; 2 Berlin University Alliance, Germany
For some time now, the Technische Universität Berlin has been intensively pursuing measures to institutionalize transdisciplinarity – as a complementary approach to existing research modes – and to establish corresponding structures. Experiences from this approach but also from the newly founded Berlin University Alliance – the new excellence alliance of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Technische Universität Berlin, and Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin – show that scientists are quite interested in the transdisciplinary research mode. However, we have made the experience in our everyday work that they often lack the knowledge about what TDR actually is. We realized that we needed to take a whole step back to pick up the stakeholders we want to involve in the upcoming processes. For this reason, we decided to produce two films on TDR.
The film "Transdisciplinary Research – What is it?" explains the transdisciplinary research mode in a simple and understandable way while highlighting its scientific and societal relevance. It points out the strengths of this research mode compared to others and illustrates for which questions it is suitable. The film is an animated collage.
In the second film, participants of a TDR project share their experiences with the audience. The film "Transdisciplinary Research – How can we make it happen?" aims to motivate scientists and non-scientists to participate in transdisciplinary exchange formats. The film outlines the different roles and highlights the added value of participation. The film is realized in form of a reportage that links interviews with filmed real images of an TDR project that was focusing on questions of how food is sensually perceived and experienced.
Despite their different objectives, both films are aimed at scientists and especially young scientists as well as the interested public: in short, the actors we need for a transdisciplinary process. But why did we produce two different films if the target audience is the same? People feel differently addressed. Some would rather have something explained to them, others would rather be taken on a journey and inspired by real experiences. Presenting the films at the ITD21, we would like to discuss about specific target groups, preferences, and feedbacks from various audiences. We give insights in the variety of opinions and click rates we will have collected up to them and would link this with an online survey to ask the audience of the ITD21 which effects the films create. We are particularly interested in the following aspects:
How do different target groups perceive the films?
Which of the films is preferred and why?
Which other channels can be used to distribute the films?
Both films are in German with English subtitles and have a length between 5 to max. 6 min. They will be available and free to use.
Building structures to institutionalize TDR in higher education at TU Berlin
Audrey Podann, Christine Ahrend
Technische Universität Berlin, German
The institutionalization of transdisciplinarity at universities has many facets. Essential issues are the selection of the right strategy for the very institution, the support within the institutional body, the implementation in teaching and research and breaking down of prejudices and common habitual influences.
Beyond necessary cultural changes, a central criteria for success is the development of structures that are suitable for enabling transdisciplinary work. To do so, universities can, for example, support service facilities that enable all interested scientists and students to work in a transdisciplinary mode.
As part of its institutionalization strategy of transdiciplinarity since 2014, the TU Berlin has chosen various approaches to build structures. To present here, three structure-building measures will be introduced including their benefits for broad anchoring of transdisciplinarity as well as the possibility of their transferability to other institutions will be discussed.
The first structure is the Science and Society Office at the Executive Board. This is where the already existing structures and initiatives at the TU Berlin are linked and pilot projects are acquired and carried out which benefit the entire university. With support of the Executive Board, transdisciplinarity as a research mode can be introduced and promoted throughout the university and are embedded in the overall Transfer-Strategy of TU Berlin.
The second structure presented here is the StadtManufaktur. It is a a platform for living labs that serves for scientific and non-scientific initiatives to network and become visible together. In future, this common platform is intended to generate transformation knowledge and ensure the transferability of results.
The third structure is the Research Forums of the Berlin University Alliance, which are being set up at the TU Berlin for the Berlin Universities due to its transdisciplinary profile. So, an overarching support structure for transdisciplinary research is build up, which is intended to promote in particular Grand Challenges Initiatives from Berlin.
In all new structures presented, three factors are effective that are important for institutionalization:
1. These are structures supporting the overarching goal to foster transdiciplinarity - they are independent of specific topics.
2. New professional careers are developed within the institution in order to meet professional standards for transdisciplinary work and research right from the start, in particular the profession of „Integration Experts“
3. Top-down and bottom-up strategies and experience should be mixed to open up a discourse space bringing newcomers and experienced researchers together. Support should be given by the institutional leaders.
Discussing this, we are particularly interested in whether these strategies and factors are transferable to other institutions and are kean to learn about experiences in different settings, institutions and countries.
Facilitating a stronger role for the Science for the Carpathians network in the sustainable development of the Carpathian region
Tamara Mitrofanenko 1 & 2, Joanna Zawiejska , Attila Varga 4, Mónika Réti 5
1 Institute of Landscape Development, Recreation and Conservation Planning, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, Austria; 2 United Nations Environment Programme, Vienna Programme Office, Secretariat of the Carpathian Convention; 3 Institute of Geography, Pedagogical University of Krakow; 4 Institute of People–Environment Transaction, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, 23–27 Kazinczy Street, 1075 Budapest, Hungary; 5 Ministry of Human Capacities of Hungary
The Carpathian Mountain ecoregion constitute an important hotspot of biological and cultural diversity and provide a living environment for people in seven countries. The Carpathian countries are parties to the Carpathian Convention – a regional treaty, which supports cooperation on protection and sustainable development of the Carpathians.
Activities of the Convention are guided by its articles, focused on different aspects of sustainable development in the region. The Carpathian Convention parties agree on the importance of awareness raising and public participation, reflected in Article 13 of the Convention “Awareness raising, education and public participation”.
An important development with respect to the implementation of the Convention was the establishment of the Science for the Carpathians (S4C) network in 2008. The network aims, among its several objectives, at defining research priorities for the Carpathian region and linking research, policy, and practice. Among its main activities is the organization of Forum Carpaticum – a biennial scientific conference, as well as providing inputs based on the conference results to the Carpathian Convention Secretariat, and the Convention Conference of the Parties, the main decision-making body of the Convention.
While the S4C has faced challenges with attracting scientists focusing on interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research, as well as promoting such approaches among its members and young scientists, the Steering and Executive committee, in cooperation with the Convention Secretariat, have made efforts to strengthen collaboration among the S4C, practitioners and policy-makers, and have achieved certain progress in this respect, thanks, partly, to funding provided by the Advisory Assistance Programme (AAP) of the German Environment Agency.
Specific efforts included introducing interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary sessions and speakers at Forum Carpaticum 2018, and a joint workshop with the Working Group on Biodiversity of the Carpathian Convention, focused on improving knowledge exchange among scientists and decision makers in Carpathians. The workshop, conducted in 2019, using the World Café method, brought together members of the S4C steering committee and Carpathian Convention Biodiversity Working Group (i.e. Convention focal points, and experts and practitioners in the field of nature protection), to integrate knowledge on: 1) urgent knowledge gaps for the Carpathian Convention; 2) important interdisciplinary areas and research questions, which can be addressed by S4C and 3) concrete ways and opportunities for scientists to cooperate with Convention Secretariat in order to support the implementation of the Convention in this field. This format has been considered successful - and a precedent to further strengthen cooperation among the S4C and the Convention Secretariat.
As a result, stronger collaboration has continued among the Convention Secretariat and the S4C network. During the recent Forum Carpaticum Conference, “Linking the Environmental, Political and Societal Aspects for Carpathian Sustainability”, which took place virtually in June 2021, two workshops have been co-organized by the Secretariat and the scientific community. One of the workshops focused on institutionalizing transdisciplinary collaboration in Education for Sustainable Development. Moreover, a Plenary has been devoted to discussion about strengthening the role of Carpathian scientists and transdisciplinary approaches for sustainable development of the region. The following challenges have been identified: 1) lack of funds, 2) institutional challenges, 3) political environment, and 4) lack of experience and practice among the Carpathian actors. Recommendations and ways forward to address these challenges by the S4C network are now under discussion.
The authors will briefly present the process to-date and focus on the results of the exchange during Forum Carpaticum 2021, and the follow up ideas by the Carpathian actors to strengthen inter-and transdisciplinary approaches in the region. We would like to use the opportunity to ask for feedback and recommendations from the ITD 2021 community, as well as invite collaborations in the Carpathian region.