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Teaching Material

Toolbox for Transdisciplinarity

Target GroupMaster, PhDResource TypeToolDomainGeneral KnowledgeDuration2h to ≤ 4hAuthorSwiss Academy of Sciences
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Summary

This resource can be used to equip students with practical methods for conducting impactful research across disciplinary boundaries. Students will develop competencies in collaborative knowledge co-production techniques that address complex societal challenges. They will learn to systematically engage stakeholders from both academic and non-academic sectors in their research processes, enhancing the societal relevance of their work.

Relevant SDGs

Icon für SDG 4

How to use

The toolbox is valuable for research methods courses, capstone project preparation, or graduate seminars focused on sustainability science. It works effectively as a practical companion throughout project-based courses where students must plan and implement collaborative research. The resource is particularly useful when students are designing their own research protocols or preparing for fieldwork involving multiple stakeholders.

Faculty should introduce the toolbox early when discussing research design, encouraging students to explore methods aligned with their project needs. Consider organizing workshops where student teams select and apply specific tools to case studies, followed by reflection on their effectiveness. Faculty may need to supplement with guidance on adapting tools to specific disciplinary contexts.

Related resources might include case studies of successful transdisciplinary projects, frameworks for evaluating the impact of co-produced knowledge, or materials on research ethics in collaborative settings. The international network mentioned could provide additional mentorship opportunities or examples of the tools in practice across different cultural contexts.

Teaching format tip

Tool

Demonstrate effective usage while encouraging experimentation and adaptation. Students should develop technical competencies and understand appropriate applications for different contexts. Use tools to enhance learning capabilities while building confidence with professional resources and methodologies.

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  • Resources
    Subject area
    • General KnowledgeThis section provides general frameworks and concepts related to sustainability that can be used in any discipline and across industries.
    • Specific KnowledgeThis section provides sustainability related content that would enable students following a business or management degree or course to be better equipped to face sustainability related challenges.
      • Economics
      • Management
      • Finance, banking, insurance
      • Marketing and advertising
    Competence area
    • Problem-solving
    • Critical thinking
    • Self-awareness
    • Collaboration
    • Normative awareness
    • Anticipatory thinking
    • Systems thinking
    • Strategy
    Learning approach
    • Cognitive learning
    • Socio-emotional learning
    • Behavioural learning
    • Subject area
      • General KnowledgeGeneral knowledge represents foundational understanding across multiple disciplines needed for sustainable development. It creates an integrated mindset that connects basic and advanced topics across various knowledge domains.
      • Economics
      • Management
      • Finance, banking, insurance
      • Marketing and advertising
    • Skill area
      • Problem-solving
      • Critical thinking
      • Self-awareness
      • Collaboration
      • Normative awareness
      • Anticipatory thinking
      • Systems thinking
      • Strategy
    • Learning approach
      • Cognitive learning
      • Socio-emotional learning
      • Behavioural learning
  • Communities
  • Education for sustainability
  • About us
  • Resources
    Subject area
    • General KnowledgeThis section provides general frameworks and concepts related to sustainability that can be used in any discipline and across industries.
    • Specific KnowledgeThis section provides sustainability related content that would enable students following a business or management degree or course to be better equipped to face sustainability related challenges.
      • Economics
      • Management
      • Finance, banking, insurance
      • Marketing and advertising
    Competence area
    • Problem-solving
    • Critical thinking
    • Self-awareness
    • Collaboration
    • Normative awareness
    • Anticipatory thinking
    • Systems thinking
    • Strategy
    Learning approach
    • Cognitive learning
    • Socio-emotional learning
    • Behavioural learning
    • Subject area
      • General KnowledgeGeneral knowledge represents foundational understanding across multiple disciplines needed for sustainable development. It creates an integrated mindset that connects basic and advanced topics across various knowledge domains.
      • Economics
      • Management
      • Finance, banking, insurance
      • Marketing and advertising
    • Skill area
      • Problem-solving
      • Critical thinking
      • Self-awareness
      • Collaboration
      • Normative awareness
      • Anticipatory thinking
      • Systems thinking
      • Strategy
    • Learning approach
      • Cognitive learning
      • Socio-emotional learning
      • Behavioural learning
  • Communities
  • Education for sustainability
  • About us
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