Co-creating transformative knowledge: Inter- and transdisciplinary research in practice (ENHANCE Summer School)

The Summer School strengthens master’s and PhD students’ competences in interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research, focusing on co-creating transformative knowledge with diverse actors. Through hands-on tools, and collaborative experiments, participants explore challenges in designing and conducting research that meaningfully responds to societal needs.

Doing science with society requires rethinking how knowledge is produced and who is involved in its creation. Increasingly, academic research and knowledge production extend beyond disciplinary boundaries, engaging a wider range of societal actors who bring diverse forms of knowledge. This shift requires both recognition and active integration of different cultural and disciplinary perspectives.

In an experiential setting, the Summer School will offer practical guidance for Master and PhD students embarking on or curious about interdisciplinary or transdisciplinary research—projects that involve co-creating socially-relevant transformative knowledge in collaboration with diverse actors. It draws on a rich overview of the research process and career pathways, offering tools and resources to enhance collaboration across disciplines, sectors and civil society. Through hands-on experimentation with selected tools, participants will explore key challenges in designing, investigating and conducting research that is responsive to societal needs.

At the end of the summer school students are able to:

•       Jointly-frame, and analyse complex societal and environmental problems, and evaluate their potential societal impacts.

•       Critically reflect on the strengths and limitations of their own perspectives, positionality, and epistemic assumptions.

•       Develop a broader understanding of collaborative constellations and processes involved in addressing real-world challenges.

Combining conceptual insights, empirical examples, a site visit and interactive exercises, the summer school builds on participants’ prior experiences while remaining accessible to newcomers. It is designed to foster inter- and transdisciplinary (ITD) integration, reflexivity, and collaboration. The course focuses on four key modules representing the phases of the ITD research process:

a)    Understanding Inter- & Transdisciplinary Research

What inter- and transdisciplinary research are, their conceptual and methodological foundations, when and why to pursue them, their relevance for addressing complex societal and environmental challenges, and guiding principles for effective design (at the project, process and outcome levels).

b)    Developing Collaborative Conditions

How to build cohesive teams across diverse disciplinary backgrounds, working cultures, and knowledge systems; understanding different dimensions of integration; cultivating reflexivity within teams.

c)     Co-creating a Research Project

How to integrate diverse perspectives and select appropriate methods and tools to collaboratively address real-world challenges. Participants will work in small interdisciplinary teams to test methods and tools and compare inter- or transdisciplinary research processes.

d)    Improving Research Skills and Competencies

Developing practical competencies and skills essential for inter- and transdisciplinary research, including critical and creative thinking, engagement with diverse societal actors, and reflexive self-assessment. Participants will learn to document and share inter- or transdisciplinary processes and outcomes, and critically reflect on their positionality and career paths and the societal impact of research collaborations.

To approach these topics participants will work on two case studies to gain hands-on experience on inter- and transdisciplinary research. Researchers and practitioners involved in the case studies will present their experiences in the cases: (i) integrated assessment models for sustainable development (DIAMOND) and (ii) coordinated interactions among researchers and partners in the energy system (CoSi). A third case will be introduced to discuss the governance, funding and evaluation of inter- and transdisciplinary research (INTERSECTIONS).

A site visit in Zurich is planned to complement the concepts and methods explored during the Summer School. This excursion will feature a of interdisciplinary or transdisciplinary research in Switzerland, offering participants the opportunity to engage directly with researchers and practitioners, observe collaborative processes in action, and reflect on the real-world application of inter- and transdisciplinary approaches.

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

• at the university level: ETH Zurich has applied its internal quality assurance procedures and structures to the proposal of Co-creating transformative knowledge: Inter- and transdisciplinary research in practice (ENHANCE Summer School) 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 Co-creating transformative knowledge: Inter- and transdisciplinary research in practice (ENHANCE Summer School) proposed by ETH Zurich to the Innovative Learning Campus part of the joint ENHANCE educational offer, based on the compliance with the formal requirements and ENHANCE goals.

It is necessary to fulfill the following requirements:

1.     Handing in the homework assignment by August 5^th. Details will be sent to selected students.

2.     Attend the five days of the summer school from Monday 24^th August starting at 10.00h until Friday, 28^th August, 17:00h.

3.     Active participation in the group work and preparation of the final presentation on August 28^th.

The application link will be provided and opens by February 1st. 2026. Applicants need to upload during the application a short cv (max. 2 pages) and a motivation letter (1 page), stating their interest in the topic and the summer school. After the applications closes students will be selected and informed by mid-May about the outcome.

https://csts.ethz.ch/teaching/summer-school/summer-school-2026.html. Please contact us tdlab-summerschool@ethz.ch, if you have any questions.

ETH Zurich

For ENHANCE incoming students and doctoral students ETH Zurich is able to provide an ENHANCE scholarship from CHF80 per day. In total CHF400 will be provided. If students travel sustainable by bus/train (tickets as proof required) CHF100 will be added. After acceptance we will reach out to you regarding the next steps.