Td Summer School 2020
Due to the current global COVID-19 crisis, the Td Summer School 2020 has to be postponed. As soon as it is possible to plan new dates, they will be communicated here.

Transdisciplinary Research at the Science | Society Interface
This year, the Td Summer School is hosted by Azerbaijan University. It will be realized from June 14-20, 2020 in Baku, Azerbaijan in cooperation with Leuphana University (Germany), the University of Technology Sydney (Australia) and the Global Alliance for Inter- and Transdisciplinary Research and Education (ITD Alliance).
The Td Summer School 2020 offers a 5-day intensive Td Training Module on transdisciplinary research and practice that will prepare researchers and practitioners for transformative research on societal challenges at the science | society interface. Participants will gain input on theoretical and methodological foundations as well as experience in designing and implementing transdisciplinary research processes. The aim is to broaden academic researchers’ disciplinary and interdisciplinary perspectives towards a transdisciplinary approach and to enable practitioners to elaborate their roles. This year, a particular focus is on the challenges of its forms, its achievements and its resistances in terms of disciplinary, institutional and political hegemonies. An optional weekend program on Saturday, 20 June 2020 will be organized.
The Td Summer School 2020 is connected to the ‘International Conference on Knowledge and Being: Different Cultures and Different Traditions’, held at Azerbaijan University from June 12-13, 2020.
For further details, see: http://au.edu.az/en/menu/383/
Td Training Module
Throughout the five day Td Training Module we will provide insights into historical, political and theoretical foundations of transdisciplinary research that have emerged in different communities and world regions and create a space to gain practical experiences in designing transdisciplinary research processes. We will explore different methodologies and frameworks, principles and design elements of transdisciplinary research and get an overview of methods for collaborative, transdisciplinary research. Over the last two days of the module, we will elaborate transdisciplinary case study designs in small groups. The case study designs will be developed in 20 steps that will guide you from the framing of a problem to the development of implementation strategies of results.
It is our overall objective to create strong links to your fields of activities. Therefore we will jointly select the cases based on suggestions from the participants. A case could be a problem field that your current research or professional activity is related to, and which you want to further develop towards a transdisciplinary approach. Alternatively, it could be an issue that you are planning to work on in the future. By jointly developing the transdisciplinary case study design, you will have the chance to apply principles, design elements and methods that will be introduced during the first days of the Td Training Module. Working together in groups with scientists and practitioners will allow you to experience the different perspectives on cases in transdisciplinary research processes and to discuss diverse roles, tasks and responsibilities of involved persons.
Participants will be issued a certificate for an equivalent of 3 ECTS on request.
Registration
Participation fee for the Td Summer School 2020 is 300 €. The fee covers:
- Tuition
- Opening evening event
- Snacks and coffee during the sessions
- Farewell Dinner
The weekend program on June, 20, 2020, will generate some extra costs. Registration is possible until the opening evening of the Td Summer School.
Due to limitation of participants, we ask you to send us your CV, motivation and an outline of your current activities/research until March 30, 2020 to td_training@leuphana.de
Deadline: March 30, 2020
Confirmation: April 15, 2020
Registration fee: April 30, 2020
Participants interested in joining the ‘International Conference on Knowledge and Being’ (June, 12-14, 2020) will find more information here: au.edu.az/en/menu/383/. The conference fee is 150 Euros.
Payment
Payment is to be made by bank transfer.
Financial Support
The organizers cannot offer full scholarships but can support some participants from Caucasus Countries (Azerbaijan, Georgia, Armenia, Georgia, Iran, Russian Federation, Turkey) and low income countries by providing fee-waivers. In order to apply for a fee-waiver, please include the request in your motivational letter. We will also support you in finding economic accommodation.
Key Dates
Opening Event:
June 14, 2020 (starting in the evening)
Td Training Module:
June 14-19, 2020
Optional Weekend Program:
June 20, 2020
Optional International Conference on Knowledge and Being:
June 12-13, 2020
Venue
The Td Summer School will take place at Azerbaijan University in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Trainers
Paul Gibbs, Azerbaijan University, Azerbaijan: Professor and Advisor to the Rector
Dena Fam, University of Technology Sydney, Institute for Sustainable Futures, Australia: Associate Professor and Research Director
Ulli Vilsmaier, Leuphana University, Institute of Philosophy and Sciences of Art and Methodology Center, Germany: Associate Professor
Kate Maguire, Middlesex University London, Faculty of Professional and Social Sciences, Great Britain: Associate Professor and Head of Transdisciplinary Research Degrees
Yusif Gasimov, Azerbaijan University, Azerbaijan: Vice Rector
Bakhtiyar Badalov, Azerbaijan University, Azerbaijan: International Director
Emil Jabrayilov, Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, Institute of Geography, Azerbaijan: Scientific Researcher
Juliana Merçon, Universidad Veracruzana, Instituto de Investigaciones en Educación and Nodo de Transdisciplina de Red Temática de Socioecosistemas y Stustentabilidad de CONACyT, Mexico: Professor in the Area Territory, Community, Learning and Collective Action (online)
Loni Hensler, National Autonomous University of Mexico and Nodo de Transdisciplina de Red Temática de Socioecosistemas y Stustentabilidad de CONACyT, Mexico: PhD candidate and Coordinator (online)
Contact
Apl. Prof. Dr. Ulli Vilsmaier
Leuphana University Lüneburg
Methodology Center
Universitätsallee 1, C40.523
21335 Lüneburg, Germany
Fon +49.4131.677-2295
If you have questions or need more information and advice please contact: td_training@leuphana.de
For information and advice concerning Baku/ Azerbaijan or the International Conference on Knowledge and Being please contact the local convener
Prof. Dr. Paul Gibbs: paul.gibbs@au.edu.az
Partners
The Td Summer School 2020 is realized in cooperation with:
Azerbaijan University, Azerbaijan
Leuphana University Lüneburg, Germany
University of Technology Sydney, Australia
Global Alliance for Inter- and Transdisciplinary Research and Education
Accommodation
For recommendations of hotels, hostels and appartments please visit the Azerbaijan University web-page: http://au.edu.az/en/menu/475/international-workshop
The Azerbaijan Experience
Our colleagues at Azerbaijan University have provided first insights to Azerbaijan and the capital, Baku, where the Td Summer School 2020 takes place. See: http://au.edu.az/en/menu/477/international-workshop