IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v13y2021i7p3680-d524597.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Creating Transdisciplinary Teaching Spaces. Cooperation of Universities and Non-University Partners to Design Higher Education for Regional Sustainable Transition

Author

Listed:
  • Birgit Hoinle

    (International Center for Ethics in the Sciences and Humanities, University of Tübingen, Wilhelmstraße 19, 72074 Tübingen, Germany)

  • Ilka Roose

    (Sustainability Process, Institute of Hydraulic Engineering and Water Resources Management, University of Duibsurg-Essen, Universitätsstrasse 15, 45141 Essen, Germany)

  • Himanshu Shekhar

    (Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS), United Nations University, 1, 53113 Bonn, Germany)

Abstract

Teaching formats involving non-university partners are increasingly gaining importance to deliver key competencies needed in higher education for sustainable development. Such teaching formats may also create new transdisciplinary spaces that allow different actors to impact regional transition towards sustainable development. Against this background, this article focuses on how universities foster regional transition through teaching, particularly in collaboration with local non-university. Using the interdisciplinary certificate programs on sustainable development offered by the German Universities of Tübingen and Duisburg-Essen as case studies, we analyze the potentials and challenges of teaching programs on sustainable development for promoting regional transition. Leaning on the multi-level-perspective-approach, we have used qualitative interviews to shed light on the design of cooperation between the university and regional partners as well as the creation and integration of transdisciplinary learning spaces. This paper shows that the impact of such teaching formats on the regional transition consists primarily of awareness and network building. One of the most fundamental challenges faced is unequal power relations in terms of access to resources, financing, and doing the course planning. Simultaneously, co-design, mutual understanding, and collective decisions on roles and responsibilities and—especially—empathy and trust are crucial factors for successfully teaching cooperation towards regional sustainability.

Suggested Citation

  • Birgit Hoinle & Ilka Roose & Himanshu Shekhar, 2021. "Creating Transdisciplinary Teaching Spaces. Cooperation of Universities and Non-University Partners to Design Higher Education for Regional Sustainable Transition," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-21, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:7:p:3680-:d:524597
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/7/3680/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/7/3680/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Shiri Breznitz & Maryann Feldman, 2012. "The engaged university," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 37(2), pages 139-157, April.
    2. Adrian Smith & Rob P.J.M. Raven, 2011. "What is protective space? Reconsidering niches in transitions to sustainability," Working Papers 11-05, Eindhoven Center for Innovation Studies, revised Aug 2011.
    3. Geels, Frank W., 2002. "Technological transitions as evolutionary reconfiguration processes: a multi-level perspective and a case-study," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 31(8-9), pages 1257-1274, December.
    4. Jan Rotmans & Derk Loorbach, 2009. "Complexity and Transition Management," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 13(2), pages 184-196, April.
    5. Verena Radinger-Peer, 2019. "What influences universities’ regional engagement? A multi-stakeholder perspective applying a Q-methodological approach," Regional Studies, Regional Science, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 6(1), pages 170-185, January.
    6. Schiller, Daniel & Kanning, Helga & Pflitsch, Gesa & Radinger-Peer, Verena & Freytag, Tim, 2020. "Hochschulen als Agenten des Wandels für eine nachhaltige Regionalentwicklung? Hochschulen und nachhaltige Regionalentwicklung aus der Transition-Perspektive," Forschungsberichte der ARL: Aufsätze, in: Postlep, Rolf-Dieter & Blume, Lorenz & Hülz, Martina (ed.), Hochschulen und ihr Beitrag für eine nachhaltige Regionalentwicklung, volume 11, pages 119-176, ARL – Akademie für Raumentwicklung in der Leibniz-Gemeinschaft.
    7. Roland W. Scholz, 2017. "The Normative Dimension in Transdisciplinarity, Transition Management, and Transformation Sciences: New Roles of Science and Universities in Sustainable Transitioning," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(6), pages 1-31, June.
    8. Kerstin Schopp & Matthias Bornemann & Thomas Potthast, 2020. "The Whole-Institution Approach at the University of Tübingen: Sustainable Development Set in Practice," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-24, January.
    9. Verena Radinger-Peer & Gesa Pflitsch, 2017. "The role of higher education institutions in regional transition paths towards sustainability," Review of Regional Research: Jahrbuch für Regionalwissenschaft, Springer;Gesellschaft für Regionalforschung (GfR), vol. 37(2), pages 161-187, October.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Daniel Schiller & Verena Radinger-Peer, 2021. "Introduction: The Role of Universities in Regional Transitions towards Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(14), pages 1-4, July.
    2. Thomas J. Lampoltshammer & Valerie Albrecht & Corinna Raith, 2021. "Teaching Digital Sustainability in Higher Education from a Transdisciplinary Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-21, October.
    3. Alaina Kinol & Elijah Miller & Hannah Axtell & Ilana Hirschfeld & Sophie Leggett & Yutong Si & Jennie C. Stephens, 2023. "Climate justice in higher education: a proposed paradigm shift towards a transformative role for colleges and universities," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 176(2), pages 1-29, February.
    4. Paul Micklethwaite, 2022. "Sustainable Design Masters: Increasing the Sustainability Literacy of Designers," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-21, March.
    5. Rachael Budowle & Eric Krszjzaniek & Chelsea Taylor, 2021. "Students as Change Agents for Community–University Sustainability Transition Partnerships," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-26, May.
    6. Jo Kuys & Abdullah Al Mahmud & Blair Kuys, 2021. "A Case Study of University–Industry Collaboration for Sustainable Furniture Design," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(19), pages 1-18, September.
    7. Sergio Alonso Martínez-Ramos & Juvenal Rodríguez-Reséndiz & Avatar Flores Gutiérrez & P. Y. Sevilla-Camacho & Jorge D. Mendiola-Santíbañez, 2021. "The Learning Space as Support to Sustainable Development: A Revision of Uses and Design Processes," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-13, October.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Tigran Keryan & Andreas Muhar & Tamara Mitrofanenko & Ashot Khoetsyan & Verena Radinger-Peer, 2020. "Towards Implementing Transdisciplinarity in Post-Soviet Academic Systems: An Investigation of the Societal Role of Universities in Armenia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(20), pages 1-19, October.
    2. van Geenhuizen, Marina & Ye, Qing, 2014. "Responsible innovators: open networks on the way to sustainability transitions," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 87(C), pages 28-40.
    3. Zolfagharian, Mohammadreza & Walrave, Bob & Raven, Rob & Romme, A. Georges L., 2019. "Studying transitions: Past, present, and future," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 48(9), pages 1-1.
    4. Catia Milena Lopes & Annibal José Scavarda & Mauricio Nunes Macedo de Carvalho & André Luis Korzenowski, 2018. "The Business Model and Innovation Analyses: The Sustainable Transition Obstacles and Drivers for the Hospital Supply Chains," Resources, MDPI, vol. 8(1), pages 1-17, December.
    5. Rachel Greer & Timo Wirth & Derk Loorbach, 2023. "The Circular Decision-Making Tree: an Operational Framework," Circular Economy and Sustainability,, Springer.
    6. Attila Havas & Doris Schartinger & K. Matthias Weber, 2022. "Innovation Studies, Social Innovation, and Sustainability Transitions Research: From mutual ignorance towards an integrative perspective?," CERS-IE WORKING PAPERS 2227, Institute of Economics, Centre for Economic and Regional Studies.
    7. John Holmberg & Johan Larsson, 2018. "A Sustainability Lighthouse—Supporting Transition Leadership and Conversations on Desirable Futures," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(11), pages 1-25, October.
    8. Pesch, Udo, 2015. "Tracing discursive space: Agency and change in sustainability transitions," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 90(PB), pages 379-388.
    9. Chang, Rui-Dong & Zuo, Jian & Zhao, Zhen-Yu & Zillante, George & Gan, Xiao-Long & Soebarto, Veronica, 2017. "Evolving theories of sustainability and firms: History, future directions and implications for renewable energy research," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 72(C), pages 48-56.
    10. Anna Bogedain & Rüdiger Hamm, 2020. "Strengthening local economy – an example of higher education institutions’ engagement in “co-creation for sustainability”," REGION, European Regional Science Association, vol. 7, pages 9-27.
    11. Hayes, Samantha & Desha, Cheryl & Baumeister, Dayna, 2020. "Learning from nature – Biomimicry innovation to support infrastructure sustainability and resilience," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 161(C).
    12. Quitzow, Rainer, 2015. "Assessing policy strategies for the promotion of environmental technologies: A review of India's National Solar Mission," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 44(1), pages 233-243.
    13. Zhao, Zhen-Yu & Chang, Rui-Dong & Chen, Yu-Long, 2016. "What hinder the further development of wind power in China?—A socio-technical barrier study," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 88(C), pages 465-476.
    14. Alistair Sheldrick & James Evans & Gabriele Schliwa, 2017. "Policy learning and sustainable urban transitions: Mobilising Berlin’s cycling renaissance," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 54(12), pages 2739-2762, September.
    15. Suleiman, Lina, 2021. "Blue green infrastructure, from niche to mainstream: Challenges and opportunities for planning in Stockholm," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 166(C).
    16. Anna Dimitrova & Katarina Hollan & Daphne Channa Laster & Andreas Reinstaller & Margit Schratzenstaller & Ewald Walterskirchen & Teresa Weiss, 2013. "Literature Review on Fundamental Concepts and Definitions, Objectives and Policy Goals as well as Instruments Relevant for Socio-ecological Transition. WWWforEurope Working Paper No. 40," WIFO Studies, WIFO, number 47015, April.
    17. Kuhmonen, Tuomas, 2017. "Exposing the attractors of evolving complex adaptive systems by utilising futures images: Milestones of the food sustainability journey," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 114(C), pages 214-225.
    18. Kristiaan P. W. Kok & Alanya C. L. den Boer & Tomris Cesuroglu & Marjoleine G. van der Meij & Renée de Wildt-Liesveld & Barbara J. Regeer & Jacqueline E. W. Broerse, 2019. "Transforming Research and Innovation for Sustainable Food Systems—A Coupled-Systems Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(24), pages 1-23, December.
    19. Lorenz Blume & Thomas Brenner & Guido Buenstorf, 2017. "Universities and sustainable regional development: introduction to the special issue," Review of Regional Research: Jahrbuch für Regionalwissenschaft, Springer;Gesellschaft für Regionalforschung (GfR), vol. 37(2), pages 103-109, October.
    20. Niklas Fernqvist & Mats Lundqvist, 2021. "Entrepreneurial Sustainability Engagement of Insiders Initiating Energy System Transition," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-16, January.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:7:p:3680-:d:524597. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.