How can we bring knowledge from society into scientific research? And how do we ensure that researchers and society find and strengthen each other? These questions are central to the TRED conference, a three-day programme taking place online and in Wageningen from 12 June to 14 June.
Climate change and the transition to a circular economy are two of the global challenges to which WUR is trying to find answers. Both examples are urgent and complex and require society to change. It is clear that a purely scientific perspective cannot provide a conclusive answer and that input from society is needed.
Jillian Student, researcher at WIMEK: 'Especially with these kinds of issues, it is important to go beyond your own circle of knowledge and seek cooperation with other disciplines.' To facilitate this, the Transdisciplinary Research, Education and Dialogue initiative (TRED) is organising a conference from 12 June to 14 June to promote interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research and education.
There are three kinds of interdisciplinary collaboration:
Multidisciplinary
In a multidisciplinary collaboration, people from different disciplines simultaneously work on the same problem. Each discipline offers its own input, but also continues to work from this discipline.
Interdisciplinary
In this type of collaboration, interaction and integration of different disciplines are central, in order to make sense of a complex problem.
Transdisciplinary
A transdisciplinary collaboration often revolves around a complex problem from society, after which people from different disciplines and practice work together.
Inspiration and interaction
The programme offers participants (such as researchers, policymakers and socially engaged citizens) inspiration, but above all interaction. Student: 'This offers the chance to get to know each other and experience what it is like to work in both an interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary manner.' This is where issues arise: 'We find that the willingness is there, but also that there is a lack of sufficient education and support.'
To let participants experience how a transdisciplinary process works, a variety of inspiring sessions are scheduled. Tuesday is dedicated to interactive discussions and practical workshops. The organisation has arranged it so that not only will interdisciplinary research and education be discussed, but participants can also directly try out what has been covered.
Wednesday revolves around examples that are currently going on in society. Hackathons are used to replicate transdisciplinary approaches. For example, to develop an app linking people from society to researchers. Or to make a dental practice circular. By putting people from science and society to work in these hackathons, collaboration becomes more attractive, accessible and equal. And both WUR and the world beyond truly need that.
