Transformation of science

Students in the main building of the University of Bern. Photo: Manu Friederich


Whether global warming, food security, or resource scarcity: today’s global challenges are increasingly urgent, complex – and controversial. To tackle them successfully, knowledge from diverse scientific disciplines must be integrated. In addition, more collaboration is needed between science and actors from society, business, and policy in order to jointly produce knowledge. Yet the incentive systems in science are rarely geared to this type of transdisciplinary, transformative research. To enable researchers to contribute more effectively to sustainable solutions, science itself must be rethought.

CDE examines how the necessary transformation of science can be fostered. In so doing, researchers analyse diverse approaches and develop transdisciplinary concepts, methods, and theories of change. The aim is to enable scientists, research funders, and universities to reflect on and change their perspectives.