td-conference 2010 - Implementation in Inter- and Transdisciplinary Research, Practice and Teaching
University of Geneva, 15-17 September 2010
Theme
This is the third of a series of annual conferences dedicated to practices, methodologies and epistemologies of inter- and transdisciplinary research and teaching. The first conference focussed on the theme of PROBLEM FRAMING as a decisive and determining initial phase of the research process (see td-conference 2008). At the second conference we addressed issues of INTEGRATION that cut across the whole research process (see td-conference 2009), from problem framing and problem analysis to the implementation of research results in the life-world. This latter and recurring phase of the research process is the topic of this year’s conference.
In a knowledge society, research questions, processes and results cannot be disconnected from everyday practices. Politicians, funding bodies and society at large increasingly demand of researchers to propose efficient ways of how to use abstract findings in concrete situations and as a common good. From the very start, implementation strategies should therefore include processes of embedding the research in its social and scientific contexts, recursiveness and negotiation with non-academic actors, and testing the expected impact through ‘real-world’ experiments. How exactly to bring research results to fruition, integrate theory and practice and build truly participative collaborations are key issues of inter- and transdisciplinarity.
The major aims of the td-conference 2010 are therefore:
to present and critically discuss theoretical, conceptual and methodological models and ‚tool kits’ for implementation strategies;
to learn about practical experiences with implementation in different scientific and social contexts as well as in various professional fields;
to highlight achievements and challenges for effective implementation not only in research but also in education;
to collectively forge theories, concepts and methods for integrating theory and practice and thus
to create synergies between researchers and practitioners of various professions, NGOs and grass-root movements.