Promoting and integrating underrepresented perspectives

The promoting and integrating underrepresented perspectives lab is an interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary initiative that combines socio-technical perspectives from STS and planning disciplines to address real-world challenges in our towns and cities. Led by the Norwegian University of Science and Technology and developed in collaboration with Chalmers, the lab will address the societal responsibility of universities, which requires them to be active, engaged and visible outside academic arenas. Transdisciplinary practices are recommended by universities and municipalities, but established forums for collaboration can limit dialogue where citizens are in focus. The lab will explore new pathways to secure contact between universities and societal groups that have limited contact with academic institutions.

Students attending the lab will be able to:

· Understand and apply transdisciplinary research where underrepresented perspectives are in focus.

· Integrate underrepresented perspectives into research and design processes.

· Develop ethically grounded and socially responsive strategies for participation and inclusion.

· Collaborate effectively across cultural, disciplinary and transdisciplinary boundaries.

· Critically reflect on the societal impact of science and technology and planning theory and practice.

Participants must be enrolled in a bachelor, master or Ph.D. programme in one of the following disciplines: science and technology studies, planning or architecture, and be interested in transdisciplinary practices.

Course structure

08.04 2026 Digital workshop: Justice and representation (Chalmers lead)

Introduction to justice and representation

Master student presentations

Discussions about representation and underrepresentation

Open to all

2 - day workshop in Trondheim: Promoting and integrating underrepresented perspectives (NTNU lead)

Day 1

• Introduction to interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary program –NTNU & Chalmers.
• Trondheim data & setting the scene – presentations by STS students, NTNU.
• Methodological/ theoretical inspiration – i.e. theatre and performance NTNU (NN)

Lunch

• Presentation of Trondheim Municipality
• Students start mapping and story-gathering exercises in 3 sites in the city.

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Day 2

· Introduction to day 2.

· Methodological/ theoretical inspiration – (NN)

· Student sketches – how much has been done and the next steps.

· Mapping and story-gathering continues.

Bag lunch

· Develop films and presentations

· Presentations for the WP6.

The two-level mutual trust-based quality assurance scheme has been adopted:

• at the university level: Norwegian University of Science and Technology has applied its internal quality assurance procedures and structures to the proposal of Promoting and integrating underrepresented perspectives it submitted to ENHANCE and to its implementation - the related learning activities,
• at the Alliance level: the body composed of Education Officers has made decisions regarding the inclusion of Promoting and integrating underrepresented perspectives proposed by Norwegian University of Science and Technology to the Innovative Learning Campus part of the joint ENHANCE educational offer, based on the compliance with the formal requirements and ENHANCE goals.

Chalmers and NTNU are collaborating on an online workshop on 8 April from 2:30 pm to 4:00 pm. The workshop title is Justice and Representation, discussing how we can avoid reinforcing stereotypes or discriminatory practices in research and education. This will be followed by a two‑day in‑person workshop in Trondheim on 15–16 April. Travel and accommodation for 2–3 nights are covered. We invite all students who are interested in participating in the Trondheim workshop to join us.

Learning requirements

· Students should show that they understand how underrepresented social groups and perspectives could be included in co-creative and transdisciplinary practices.

· A story line for a short film.

· A short film about inclusive processes of citizen participation based on data collected or mapped in Trondheim.

· Obligatory participation on both days.

Selection will be up to the partner universities, First come, first served.

Trondheim, NTNU

Registration Deadline: 23 of March