Training integration in science, policy and practice: insights from designing and implementing integrative teaching...

Area of Science:

• Inter- and Transdisciplinary (ITD) Research
• Higher Education Pedagogy
• Integration Science

Background:

• Inter- and transdisciplinary (ITD) research is crucial for complex problem-solving, integrating diverse disciplines and sectors.
• Integration across science, policy, and practice boundaries is a key challenge in ITD.
• Effective training in ITD integration competencies for higher education is under-researched.

Purpose of the Study:

• To equip students with competencies to lead and engage in integration across science, policy, and practice.
• To derive lessons learned from training integration in ITD higher education.
• To support educators in designing and implementing integrative teaching and learning.

Main Methods:

• Combining conceptual insights on integration with empirical data from ITD projects.
• Developing principles for designing and implementing integrative teaching and learning.
• Applying principles in an MSc course at ETH Zurich, defining competencies and learning objectives.

Main Results:

• Defined method-specific, subject-specific, social, and personal competencies in integration.
• Operationalized competencies through learning objectives and outlined teaching activities.
• Identified key lessons learned from practical application in higher education.

Conclusions:

• Principles for designing and implementing integrative teaching and learning in ITD higher education are derived.
• The study provides a framework for equipping students with essential integration competencies.
• Recommendations are offered for current and future educators to enhance ITD training.