Since the first phase (June 2020 - May 2023), tdAcademy has focused on four topic lines that explore key questions of transdisciplinary research. The research work of the tdAcademy team encompasses two topic lines about the societal effects and scientific impacts of transdisciplinary research. Another topic line focuses on systematically understanding the contextual conditions of transdisciplinary research. In the fourth topic line, the team dedicates itself to exploring new integrative research formats and how they can enrich transdisciplinary research. These four topic lines will be maintained in the second phase (June 2023 - May 2025), but with a stronger interrelation between them. Innovative research questions will be addressed at the intersections of the topic lines, utilizing existing data and results from an integrative perspective. This approach involves conducting independent research that is driven by both overarching questions that synthesize all four topic lines and the integration at the interfaces between two topic lines. Thus, the focus of the second phase is on gaining a better understanding of the interfaces between the topic lines in order to identify synergies and contradictions. The goal of the research in the 2nd phase therefore is to intensify the systematic integration of insights that were initially gained within the single topic lines in respect of synergies and trade offs.
Topic Line 1: Societal Effects
The aim of transdisciplinary research is to contribute to societal change, whether this means new infrastructures and products, adapted legal framework conditions or altered patterns of behaviour. Under this topic line, we explore how research projects can be supported in terms of systematically reflecting on their societal effects and thereby increasing their potential effectiveness.
