TransImpact – Wirkungsvolle transdisziplinäre Forschung

• Prof. Dr. Dr. Martina Schäfer [1]

• Emilia Nagy [2]
• Anna Ransiek [3]

• Gwen Lesmeister [4] (from December 2017 bis October 2018)
• Bennet Etsiwah [5] (bis Dezember 2017)

German Federal Ministry of Education and Research - Socio-Ecological Research

01.11.2015 - 28.02.2019
 

• ISOE –  Institute for Socio-Ecological Research (Overall project lead)
• Prof. Dr. Armin Grunwald (ITAS - Institute for Technology Assessment and Systems Analysis)
• Dr. Florian Keil (kib keep it balanced)
  
  

Transdisciplinary research is on the rise. Driven by the insight that complex societal problems require a joint effort of both science and practical experience, more and more research institutions and initiatives adopt transdisciplinary approaches. Funding authorities like the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research as well as the European Union increasingly demand inter- and transdisciplinary research design preconditions for applications.
However so far there is no general approved canon of scientifically approved methods and quality standards in transdisciplinary research.
TransImpact wants to address this desideratum. Starting with selected case studies, we will systematically analyse the links between scientific practice and its societal and scientific impacts. These findings will then be used to develop both integrative methods and quality standards for transdisciplinary research, as we proceed by integrating scientists and practitioners in a discursive process. Working in this transparent and integrative manner, TransImpact includes researchers, funding authorities and practitioners. The project thus strengthens communication within a community that is eager to discuss the challenges of transdisciplinary research. Furthermore, in an effort to gradually expand and represent the knowledge base of our participants, our final aim is the creation of an online hub for the transdisciplinary community. Serving as a virtual representation of our research in progress, in regards to collections of transdisciplinary methods and quality standards, the hub will eventually serve as the basis of a Virtual Academy of Transdisciplinary Studies.