Transdisciplinary learning trajectory

Session	Theme	Date	Place
1	Why transdisciplinary learning? Theoretical grounding	2 november 2026	Clock House – Old Library
2	Curriculum embedding of transdisciplinary education	30 November 2026	Clock House – Old Library
3	Learning activities in transdisciplinary education	11 january 2027	Clock House – Old Library
4	How to implement transdisciplinary education?	15 february 2027	Clock House – Old Library
5	Setting and assessing learning outcomes in transdisciplinary education	15 march 2027	Clock House – Old Library
6	Supervising group work in transdisciplinary learning	19 april 2027	Clock House – Old Library
7	Presentation and feedback on transdisciplinary course developments	24 mei 2027	Impulse - Reflection

 

Course description

Goal of the trajectory

• Better prepare teachers for practice of transdisciplinary learning
• Inspiring teachers and bring them into contact with each other (let them inspire each other)

Please note that there are seven sessions in total. Teachers who follow the transdisciplinary track must attend all workshops. We welcome everyone that is interested and wants to be part of the transdisciplinary education family at WUR.

The trajectory is meant for all teaching staff who wish to improve their transdisciplinary teaching skills. You will receive a certificate when completing the whole trajectory.

We would like to talk to participant before the course starts, so to make sure the course topics and activities fit the needs of the participants. The intake is mandatory for teachers who follow the whole trajectory. After application to the trajectory, we will reach out for a date for the intake.

Pre-requisites for this course
This course is designed for teaching staff with no/little to some experience in transdisciplinary education. Before you enroll make sure that:

• you have responsibilities for designing or teaching (parts of) a (potential) transdisciplinary course.
• You have knowledge about the basics of designing education (such as constructive alignment etc.), preferably via your UTQ design.

If you do not fit these criteria completely, this is not a problem. We will discuss with you how we can make the trajectory still valuable for you in the intake interview.

Please note you need to reserve about 4 hours of preparation time before the first course day, and about 4 hours of self-study between the course training days to prepare for the next meetings. 

Course activities
During the course, you will work on a workbook to structure your transdisciplinary learning. This will be based on one specific course which you are going to work on.
The course is set up as a blended learning course: you will study course materials before the training days and make use of our Teams-environment. You can use this input together with your course materials to design your course.

Costs
Participation is free for Wageningen University & Research staff involved in teaching in a Wageningen University Degree programme.

Participation is free for all Wageningen University educators and for educators from universities affiliated with the Professional Development Exchange Hub.

NOTE: only 2 places are available for educators outside of WUR. If you are not affiliated with WUR you will receive an additional email to confirm your participation. 

Cancellation
We consider registration as final. When cancelled within three weeks before the course activities start, your chair group will be charged all costs of your subscription (€350).
If there are less than six participants in the course, the Teaching and Learning Centre may cancel the course and notify you at the latest two weeks before the start of the course.

Session 1. Why transdisciplinary learning? Theoretical grounding

(2 November 2026, 13-17 hrs)

Description
This workshop begins by addressing the conceptual chaos often associated with transdisciplinary education, acknowledging that while the field may seem chaotic, certain guiding principles do exist. One of the core ideas is the focus on problems that touch on global societal challenges (open-ended issues), often referred to as "wicked problems." Together with participants we’ll dive into the what, why and how (learning goals) of transdisciplinary education, by highlighting the variety of approaches available.

Learning outcomes:
After the successful completion of this session, you will be able to:

• Define what it means to be a transdisciplinary educator.
• Contextualize transdisciplinary definitions and practices.
• Position oneself within transdisciplinarity literature.
• Personalize definitions and concepts of transdisciplinary education.
• Understand the skills and competences required and how they relate to broader educational goals.

Session 2. Transdisciplinary curriculum design

(30 November 2026 , 13-17 hrs)

Description

Building on the theoretical grounding of the first session, this module focuses on the strategic translation of transdisciplinary principles into a coherent curriculum. We will move beyond individual activities to explore the structural design of transdisciplinary courses, focusing on how to weave complex, real-world problems into the educational fabric of a course.

Participants will explore methodologies for curriculum mapping that allow for flexibility, interdisciplinary integration, and the inclusion of open-ended, "wicked" societal challenges. We will examine the architecture of a curriculum that balances academic rigor with the necessary space for student agency and co-creation. By the end of the session, participants will have begun sketching the blueprint for their own transdisciplinary course, ensuring that the course structure facilitates, rather than hinders, the transformative learning process.

Learning outcomes:

After the successful completion of this session, you will be able to:

• Design a coherent curriculum structure that supports transdisciplinary learning.
• Apply curriculum mapping techniques to integrate complex societal challenges into course modules.
• Create space for student agency and co-creation within the formal curriculum.
• Balance academic requirements with the open-ended nature of transdisciplinary education.
• Draft a foundational blueprint for a transdisciplinary curriculum design.

 

Session 3. Learning activities in transdisciplinary education

(11 january 2027, 13-17 hrs)

Description
This session delves into pedagogy and the learning activities within the framework of transdisciplinary education. We will discover how to integrate learning goals with corresponding activities, emphasizing a constructive alignment strategy. Together with the participants we will create a toolbox that covers the variety of learning activities. Participants will learn how to design effective transdisciplinary education and enhance their own teaching materials to better fit this approach. Finally, participants will plan further steps and task divisions to implement transdisciplinary education in their courses effectively.

Learning outcomes:
After the successful completion of this session, you will be able to:

• Design transdisciplinary education.
• Enhance existing teaching materials with transdisciplinary elements.
• Integrate learning goals with appropriate learning activities.
• Plan further steps and assign tasks to facilitate the implementation of transdisciplinary education.

Session 4. How to implement transdisciplinary education?

(15 february 2027,10-17 hrs)

Description
This session focuses on the practical aspects of implementing transdisciplinary education. A key component is stakeholder interaction, which includes the selection and collaboration with various stakeholders, emphasizing the roles of relationship managers and stakeholders. Participants will explore how to effectively interact with the external world, ensuring that their educational practices remain relevant and impactful.
To provide a hands-on experience, this session includes an experiential learning activity, where participants embark on a journey with Wageningen. This journey involves engaging with society and visiting external partners, embodying the principle of "practicing what we preach."

Learning outcomes:
After the successful completion of this session, you will be able to:

• Understand the practicalities of collaborating with external organizations with all its complexity and uncertainty (e.g. multiple perspectives).
• Understand the complexity of translating and matching societal questions to my course.
• Translate the complex practicalities into your course content.
• Plan and organize transdisciplinary learning activities with external partners.
• Analyze what you need to network with relevant potential partners.Design transdisciplinary education.

Session 5. Setting and assessing learning outcomes in transdisciplinary education.

(15 March 2027, 13-17 hrs)

Description
This session focuses on the critical aspects of setting and assessing learning outcomes within transdisciplinary education. This includes addressing the unexpected learning surprises that often arise and helping students set personal learning goals.
A big part of the session will be dedicated to feedback and assessment strategies. Participants will explore the differences between individual and team assessments, as well as formative and summative assessments. Participants will learn to integrate learning outcomes, assessment methods, and learning activities using a constructive alignment approach. They will also plan effective feedback processes and determine who should be involved in the assessment procedures. By the end of the session, participants will develop a comprehensive assessment strategy tailored to their transdisciplinary courses.

Learning outcomes:
After the successful completion of this session, you will be able to:

• Integrate learning outcomes with assessment methods and learning activities.
• Plan effective feedback processes.
• Decide on the stakeholders to involve in the assessment procedure.
• Develop a comprehensive assessment strategy for transdisciplinary education.

 

Session 6. Supervising group work in transdisciplinary learning.

(19 April 2027, 13-17 hrs)

Description
This session is dedicated to the supervision of group work within the context of transdisciplinary learning. There will be plenty of moments where participants can share their experiences and tips on supervising group work. This exchange of insights will set the stage for the day's discussions and activities.
Key topics will include managing group dynamics, fostering intercultural awareness, and facilitating boundary crossing. Participants will also learn about general coaching tools that can be applied to enhance the effectiveness of group supervision. The session will culminate with a practical role-play exercise, allowing participants to practice the skills and techniques discussed throughout the day. This hands-on activity will provide a valuable opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge in a controlled, experiential learning environment.

Learning outcomes:
After the successful completion of this session, you will be able to:

• Share and reflect on experiences in supervising group work for real-life learning.
• Understand and manage group dynamics effectively.
• Foster intercultural awareness and facilitate boundary crossing.
• Utilize general coaching tools in the context of group supervision.
• Apply supervision skills through practical role-play exercises.

Session 7. Presentation and feedback on transdisciplinary course developments.

(24 May 2027 13-17 hrs)

Description
The final session is a celebratory and collaborative event where participants will present the canvases and findings they have developed throughout the workshop series. Each participant will have the opportunity to pitch the course they have worked on, sharing the steps they have taken so far to make it more transdisciplinary and outlining the future steps they plan to take.
During these presentations, participants will ask their peers for advice and receive constructive feedback on their plans. This peer-to-peer interaction is designed to provide valuable insights and foster a supportive learning community.
Although this session marks a significant milestone, it is not the end of the learning trajectory. The participants' journey will continue with future intervision sessions aimed at sustaining and nurturing the community of practice. In this session, participants will also discuss and decide together how to continue feeding this community, ensuring ongoing support and development.

Learning outcomes:
After the successful completion of this session, you will be able to:

• Present and pitch transdisciplinary course developments.
• Share progress and future plans for enhancing transdisciplinary elements in their courses.
• Seek and receive feedback and advice from peers.
• Celebrate achievements and foster a sense of community.