Transdisciplinary Field Research Training
The Objectives of the Transdisciplinary Field Research Training (TFRT)
The focus of the Erasmus Mundus European Master of Excellence Transition, Innovation and Sustainability Environments, TISE is on sustainable and resilient societal, business and industry processes and structures. Through its strong transdisciplinary approach (i.e. a method guided by mutual learning processes between science and practice), students on this program gain a comprehensive understanding of relevant coupled human-nature-technology systems (respectively ‘human environment systems’), positive and negative mechanisms and effects of transitional processes (including underlying obvious and hidden rebound effects), and interventions together with the innovation potential therein. To facilitate the transdisciplinary approach hybrid learning spaces are being developed. They allow for examining how digital, physical and hybrid spaces can improve the modeling of complex relations to enhance the quality of decision-making. In the transdisciplinary collaborative project-work, the learning spaces are used for workshops by the mixed teams (science-society), where practical and relevant challenges are identified and systemically analyzed (combined stakeholder and system analyses), statistical data and network analyses are carried out and the results are consolidated and interpreted. Consequently, a comprehensive knowledge integration is the ultimate goal.
What means transdisciplinarity
Mode 2 Transdisciplinarity has become a third mode of doing and utilizing science, showing its transition from pure disciplinarity or interdisciplinarity. This means that transdisciplinarity with its underlying methods does not only cross the boundaries of traditional disciplines. At its core it aims toward “doing science for society” – a goal that can only be achieved by an extended mutual learning between science and society, which is based on a targeted multi- or interdisciplinary research, moderated by a multi-stakeholder discourse and facilitated by science and practice relation. Thus, the key outcome of a transdisciplinary process is the development of a socially robust orientations about a specific real-world problem that are usually ill-defined, complex, but socially highly relevant. A fundamental principle of transdisciplinarity is that representatives from science and practice collaborate on an equal footing throughout the course of the entire process (incl. joint definition of the problem, representing the problem, and developing strategies for transforming the problem). The ideal form of transdisciplinarity contains the co-leadership of a science and a practice leader. Accepting the otherness of the other is seen as a prerequisite for transdisciplinary mutual learning.
What should be achieved by Td-processes
Transdisciplinarity processes may serve for capacity building among all participants; consensus building about the main problems (including their genesis and transformation), (analytic) mitigation of emerging conflicts in a process of sustainable transformation, and political legitimation. Specifically, a main role of science is to develop knowledge and theories that allow for more clearly describing the processes in social, technical, and biophysical systems and their interactions. In other words, scientists provide theories and method-based evidence. In their turn, practitioners deliver “contextualized” practical experience related to a specific problem. Within the whole transdisciplinary process practitioners may follow their interests. However, it is expected that all participants can make some level of commitment to sustainability. It is important to understand that transdisciplinary processes dealt with a special type of problems which can be solved by other approaches (such as consultancy) which are “less expensive.” The TISE Transdisciplinary Field Research Training study will deal with transdisciplinary problems. The outcomes of a transdisciplinary process are Socially Robust Orientations (SoRO). A SoRO provides orientation on what are favorable and/or obstructive actions for keeping the viability of a case or system. A transdisciplinary problem does not provide plug and play solutions, but rather proposals that are widely shared by far most of the stakeholder groups. The social robustness is generated by various ways of integrating knowledge (e.g., from practitioners and scientists, by different conflicting stakeholders, from different subsystems).
Transdisciplinarity as part of the TISE Master
TFRT is a central characteristic of the curriculum that is closely focused on the investigation of complex real-world problems. It is a project/case-based research field work starting in the third semester and lasting to the fourth, where students/lecturers and supervisors work on solution orientations for real world problems. The project work is being developed parallel to the regular coursework by bringing together the knowledge and skills accumulated during the course of studies and integrating this knowledge with methods of transdisciplinarity in a “real world” setting. Students work closely with partners from practice (i.e. business leaders, entrepreneurs, societal stakeholders) and scientists on complex social phenomena. The different transdisciplinary cases are being developed by the consortium partners together in accordance with their disciplinary orientation. Students are being divided into groups of 5-6 people per case. Every case group gets a case supervisor (TD facilitator), in order to guide through the transdisciplinary processes. As result of the TFRT students present a so called transdisciplinary white paper. The project results may be also used for the development of master’s thesis works.
Intake 1
Vulnerability/resilience assessment of sensitive systems/cases of Austria
TFRT topics
Sustainable Resilient Communities: The Case of Langau, Austria
Yee Thu Aung, Pouya Janghorban, Roza Mahmood,Thandiwe Majama, Felita Viegas, Marianne Beau Goldy Yanch; Dr. Ilja Steffelbauer.
There is ample availability of research and studies that focus on sustainability in cities and urban policies that is also directed by UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, number 11 aiming at sustainable cities and communities. This report shifts this dominant focus by attempting to add to the body of research that highlights the need and strategies for sustainability in small towns and rural areas. This research applies a condensed version of the Transdisciplinarity Field Research Training to the case of Langau, a town of 700 people situated on the border of Austria to Czech Republic. Read more
Vulnerability Space: Vulnerability Meeting Industry in Austria
Anna Pruttseva, Miguel Lucea, Mobin Uddin, Muhammad Ahmad Qamar, Nur Okta Milatina; Associate Prof. Mag. Dr. Lukas Zenk
The meeting industry is related to the core of any organization, business, community, or workplace which helps them interact, coordinate, met and solve problems. Within the context of Europe, Austria is of utmost significance when it comes to being a cultural center of the continent that innately propels tourism potential. It further has good accessibility for having a central location in Europe that makes it suitable for having a massive infrastructure of the meeting industry that is quite visible both in Vienna and in other cities. Read more
Intelligent systems in providing political information/news: How to prevent the destruction of democracy in Austria caused by Intelligent Systems
Allena Arnold, Larissa Gehlen, Yasmine Jhabli, Ilya Lavrov, Nowai Linn; Dr. Cornelia Sindermann, Mag. Günther Schreder
Austria, a nation with a rich democratic tradition and a strong commitment to democratic values, undoubtedly recognizes the importance of preserving the democratic process and ensuring its citizens have access to unbiased and accurate political news and information. However, as the integration of Intelligent Systems is becoming increasingly prevalent in the dissemination of political news and information to the public, concerns have arisen about the potential for these systems to undermine democratic capabilities, particularly in the context of electoral events. Read more
Appification of the Vienna International Airport
Yudai Aoyagi, Yi Meng E, Steven Go, Nia Makatsaria, Shuvro Sen; Mag. Nicole Hynek, Mag. Günther Schreder
What can the airport offer as a ‘traveler app/ applification’ that provides travelers with an integrated, and personalized information and guidance system that makes their stay pleasant, safe, enjoyable, and meets their needs in a special way to be a competitive hub. Read more
The Role of Data Analytics and Big Data for Austrian MedTech SMEs : A project performed as part of the Transdisciplinary Field Research Training under the TISE Program
Kamilya Issaliyeva, Chiara Miozzo, Ngan Pham, Diana Ruiz, Franziska Schranz; Dr. Liliya Satalkina, Christiane Ulbrich
Small and Medium Enterprises are a fundamental part of the Austrian economy, constituting almost 99.6% of all the national companies in 2020, with an added value of 134 billion euros („SME DATA“, o. J.). However, in relation to digital technologies, Austrian SMEs are overall less advanced than the European average. These companies are using Big Data comparatively less than their European counterparts, 8% compared to 14% of SMEs EU-wide (Bundesministerium für Digitalisierung und Wirtschaftsstandort, 2022). Read more
Intake 2
Fragmentation of society & Resilience
TFRT Topics
VOTA LISBOA: Exploring fragmentation and Polarization through Digital Media: Portugal citizens’ perceptions on political communication strategies and informed vote – Handbook
Andrea Nieto, Eleonora González, Gulzar Muratalyieva, Valenttina Cardozo and Ximena Tapia; Dr. Jorge Martins Rosa and Dr. Marisa Torres da Silva.
The overall objective of the project is to implement a transdisciplinary approach to identify the threats of polarization through social network sites considering the involvement of affected communities and opportunities to counteract its effects in collaboration with citizens as stakeholders. As a result, we created Vota Lisboa, a creative participative process in which citizens in Portugal had the opportunity to engage in activities and conversation around the political communicative strategies deployed by the current Portuguese political parties, before and after the elections of March 10th 2024. Read more
Digitisation and Automation of Public Services: Vulnerability Analysis of Self-Check-Out-Stores
Asmita Singh, Ayman Abbas, Giovanni Baccani, Kamila Akhmetova, Stefano Zaniboni; Dr. Marguerite Barry and Dr. Günther Schreder
“Europeans spend between 17 and 35 minutes per day on shopping and personal services”. According to Eurostat, the time Europeans spend on shopping and personal services (like visiting a doctor or a hairdresser) ranges from 17 minutes per day in Romania to 35 minutes in Germany, according to a survey carried out in 15 EU countries between 2008 and 2015. As urban lives become hectic and population concentration in cities has been at the highest levels in history, there is an obvious inclination towards solving associated problems for consumers and improving the shopping experience. Read more
Green and Digital Transformation: Touristic Competitiveness and Business Enhancement in São Miguel, Azores
Armando Carias-Henriquez, Mariana Couto, Fenja Freiin, Grote Richmond, Yeboah Marc Oppermann, Tiara Neysa Amadea; Dr. Maciej Pietrzykowski and Dr. Liliya Satalkina
The Azores archipelago, situated in the heart of the Atlantic Ocean, boasts a unique blend of natural beauty and cultural richness. São Miguel, the largest island in this Portuguese autonomous region, stands as a testament to this allure, captivating adventurers and explorers alike with its diverse landscapes and attractions (Guerreiro, 2019). Amidst this backdrop of natural splendor, the island has emerged as a burgeoning hub for adventure tourism, drawing attention from renowned international publications such as Bloomberg, BBC, and Forbes (Ponte et al., 2018). Read more
Opportunities and challenges of healthcare digital entrepreneurship focused on AI systems in enhancing health equity: Final report
Amal Ashraf, Mais Hassan, Ines Ilollari, Ashish Maheshwari, Nicolás Uribe Salazar; Dr. Liliya Satalkina
Advances in technological development are ever-increasing at all times; consequently, a rapid increase and changes in digital technology have revolutionized healthcare delivery globally (Mohammed-Nasir et al., 2023). Digital health through artificial Intelligence, telemedicine, genomics, robotics and many other innovative technologies, is already changing in many ways how medicine is being practiced around the world. Read more
Organisational Improvisation in Polycrises: How do organisations deal with continuously disruptive events?
Alan Dill, Boris Stamenov, Elissa Tokusato, Jonathan Tertsunen, Nino Samsonidze; Associate Prof. Mag. Dr. Lukas Zenk
The 21st century has borne witness to the increasing prevalence of polycrises, instances “…where disparate crises interact such that the overall impact far exceeds the sum of each part”, as defined in the World Economic Forum’s 2023 World Risk Report (WRR) (WEF World Risk Report, 2023, p. 9). While such crises also existed in the past, the contemporary, complex, globalised, industrialised and digitalized world has provided ample opportunity for myriad interconnected and -dependent polycrises to form. Read more
Intake 3
