Transdisciplinary Projects

This transdisciplinary application project will involve working on projects in the areas of entrepreneurship, intrapreneurship/innovation, consulting, or research in teams and, if needed, across disciplines and/or in cooperation with practice partners (internal and external) in English or German. This will provide practice partners with easier access to collaboration opportunities and offer interested students early and active integration into practice- or research-related issues.

If needed, aspiring entrepreneurs also have the opportunity to work on their ideas during their studies, identify potential co-founders, and pursue a startup idea as a team. This can involve collaborations with external partners from the startup ecosystem, which may include training and further education for the founding team, or participation in competitions or hackathons that provide experience, further development, and testing of startup ideas and prototypes.

Results are documented in a project report and presented and reflected upon in a final presentation. Presentations and pitches of interim results and with project partners enhance the transdisciplinary and social learning experience within the team and contribute to successful transfer into application. Longer-term and complex transdisciplinary application projects (> 6 months) can also be divided into two sequential transdisciplinary application projects, in which case substantial and definable interim results are expected and must be documented in an (interim) project report and presentation.

Qualification goals

Upon successful completion of the module, students will have developed social and professional skills in internal and inter-company cooperation, project management, intrapreneurship/innovation/start-up and consulting projects, or research projects. Furthermore, depending on the chosen project area, they will have honed their presentation skills, analytical and consulting skills, as well as their ability to conduct independent academic work.

At the same time, students gain valuable insights into professional life, which support them in defining their career interests and goals and building contacts in the field. They also develop an understanding of each team member's role, learn to take responsibility for themselves and the team, and can critically reflect on and expand their behavior and actions, taking into account cultural aspects, morality, and ethics.

Requirements for participation (recommended knowledge and skills)

The basics of methods of empirical social research, innovation and project management, as well as the ability to work independently in a scientific manner, should already be mastered.

Tutorial

All transdisciplinary application projects are also supported by a tutorial, if needed. This tutorial guides students in matters of research methods and project management.

Syllabus for the tutorial
Current tutors: Martin Albert
Further information can be found on the tutorial's event page in OPAL.

Teamevaluation

Teamwork in transdisciplinary application projects is evaluated using this questionnaire. Submitting a team evaluation form is mandatory for every student before the final project presentation! No grade will be awarded without a completed and submitted team evaluation form.