TY - JOUR

T1 - Initiating transdisciplinarity in academic case study teaching

T2 - Experiences from a regional development project in Salzburg, Austria

AU - Muhar, Andreas

AU - Vilsmaier, Ulli

AU - Glanzer, Michaela

AU - Freyer, Bernhard

PY - 2006/7/1

Y1 - 2006/7/1

N2 - Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to describe experiences with the initiation of transdisciplinarity in academic case study teaching with special reference to regional planning, based on the case study "Leben 2014 (Life 2014) - perspectives for regional development in the national park region Ober-pinz-gau, Salzburg". Design/methodology/approach: The methodology used, was the evaluation of process steps of the project, based on the general project concept, protocols and questionnaires. Findings: A key for successful transdisciplinary cooperation is the integration of non-academic actors at an early stage of the project. Important principles are the implementation of a structure of communication and networking in the case study region and the definition of rules of collaboration. The establishment of personal relations and network building is indispensable in order to guarantee a constant and broad exchange between all participants. Joint decision-making processes are essential for stable cooperation, which includes a joint problem definition process at the outset of the case-study phase as well as joint responsibility for decisions and joint ownership of ideas during and after the case-study phase. Practical implications: Transdisciplinarity in case-study teaching also requires thorough preparation of academics. A constant discussion of different approaches to inter- and transdisciplinarity, the adaptation of existing conceptual frameworks to the specific requirements of the current case, the building of a committed teaching team and joint teaching of classes are all important. The careful selection of students and their specific preparation with respect to methodology and content are prerequisites for a successful outcome of a transdisciplinary case study. Originality/value: The paper describes the experience of initiating transdisciplinarity in academic case study teaching.

AB - Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to describe experiences with the initiation of transdisciplinarity in academic case study teaching with special reference to regional planning, based on the case study "Leben 2014 (Life 2014) - perspectives for regional development in the national park region Ober-pinz-gau, Salzburg". Design/methodology/approach: The methodology used, was the evaluation of process steps of the project, based on the general project concept, protocols and questionnaires. Findings: A key for successful transdisciplinary cooperation is the integration of non-academic actors at an early stage of the project. Important principles are the implementation of a structure of communication and networking in the case study region and the definition of rules of collaboration. The establishment of personal relations and network building is indispensable in order to guarantee a constant and broad exchange between all participants. Joint decision-making processes are essential for stable cooperation, which includes a joint problem definition process at the outset of the case-study phase as well as joint responsibility for decisions and joint ownership of ideas during and after the case-study phase. Practical implications: Transdisciplinarity in case-study teaching also requires thorough preparation of academics. A constant discussion of different approaches to inter- and transdisciplinarity, the adaptation of existing conceptual frameworks to the specific requirements of the current case, the building of a committed teaching team and joint teaching of classes are all important. The careful selection of students and their specific preparation with respect to methodology and content are prerequisites for a successful outcome of a transdisciplinary case study. Originality/value: The paper describes the experience of initiating transdisciplinarity in academic case study teaching.

KW - Sustainability Science

KW - Austria

KW - Case studies

KW - Project teams

KW - Regional development

KW - Teaching

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=33746106085&partnerID=8YFLogxK

UR - https://www.mendeley.com/catalogue/fbd9e562-9a27-370f-9b28-26606f959d3b/

U2 - 10.1108/14676370610677856

DO - 10.1108/14676370610677856

M3 - Journal articles

VL - 7

SP - 293

EP - 308

JO - International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education

JF - International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education

SN - 1467-6370

IS - 3

ER -