Climate research has long pointed out the urgency of mitigation, transformation and adaptation. However, conventional means, in particular scientific publications and the so-called “dissemination” of research results to society, do not allow us to take action, or at least not quickly enough.
It is therefore increasingly being recognized that solutions to the climate crisis need to be developed and implemented together with all stakeholders in society beyond the scientific disciplines - in a transdisciplinary manner. These solutions must also be practicable, acceptable and scientifically robust. This requires cooperation (co-design & co-production) between science and stakeholders right from the formulation of research questions and then continuously throughout the course of research projects. Numerous participatory formats and forms of dialog have been established for this purpose (e.g. The Agile Initiative and Living Labs). These transdisciplinary formats are characterized by their openness to different forms of knowledge and are aimed at mutual learning.
As Transacademic Interface Managers (TIM), Raphaela Maier and Holger Hoff implement transdisciplinary formats in the Field of Excellence Climate Change Graz.
Raphaela Maier holds a doctorate in environmental systems science and has worked with diverse perspectives and cultures over the course of her many years of international training. She has successfully applied this knowledge in her research at the Wegener Center for Climate and Global Change at the University of Graz and at Oxford University in national and international projects on climate change mitigation and adaptation (e.g. EU Horizon TIPPING.plus, A-LEVER). In doing so, she became increasingly aware of the importance of overcoming scientific boundaries and developing feasible solutions to the challenges of climate change in cooperation with practitioners.
As TIM of the Field of Excellence Climate Change at the University of Graz, she is establishing a transdisciplinary exchange format in which scientists and social actors work together continuously to develop joint research questions that are implemented in so-called research sprints. It acts as an interface between Climate Change Graz and relevant stakeholders and networks and supports the members of the profile area in the initiation and implementation of transdisciplinary projects and stakeholder processes.
Holger Hoff has extensive experience in the transdisciplinary orientation of local, national and international projects in climate, environmental and sustainability research. He has worked for many years for the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) and the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI). During this time, he provided scientific advice to German and Swedish development cooperation and worked with numerous government, private sector and civil society actors to move from knowledge to action.
As TIM in the Field of Excellence Climate Change at the University of Graz, he develops transdisciplinary formats in research and teaching. He contributes to the application- and demand-oriented focus of projects such as Integrate and DISCC-AT, as well as to the corresponding orientation of new project proposals. It also integrates stakeholder participation into existing and new teaching formats, such as the Interdisciplinary Internships (IPs) at the University of Graz and the Sustainability Challenge (cross-university), in which students, scientists and practice partners work together to develop new solutions. The aim is to consolidate these formats by creating a Campus Living Lab in the profile area.
To network the University of Graz with the national and international transdisciplinarity community, the TIM works in Priority 1 of UniNEtZ (Transdisciplinary Dialogues) and is a member of the IGlobal Alliance for Inter- and Transdisciplinarity (ITD) and the Society for Transdisciplinary and Participatory Research (GTPF). He also co-leads the CCCA's climate neutrality working group, which is currently developing guidelines on climate neutrality for companies, cities and municipalities.
