Have you ever encountered ethical dilemmas in your research? This module on ethics in transdisciplinary research will help you explore the unique ethical landscape of transdisciplinary research, especially in transformative and highly collaborative projects.
By working through this module, researchers become prepared to navigate the unique ethical considerations of those settings, and gain tools to identify, understand, and critically reflect on ethical dilemmas in research, as well as various approaches to address them.
This module is designed for researchers at various stages of their careers, from Master's students to seasoned Professors. Currently, the material is most relevant for Master's and PhD students and Early Career Researchers. Instructors will also find resources and a guide for integrating this content into their teaching.
- For Students: The module involves both self-study and workshop components, allowing you to engage with ethical theories and apply them to real-world dilemmas in transformative research settings.
- For Instructors: We provide a comprehensive guide and adaptable resources to support your teaching of research ethics within collaborative and transformative research contexts.
This module is part of the Trans Research Modules: Introduction to Methods, a collaborative initiative involving DIT and Impact at the Core from Erasmus University, and Convergence (themes Healthy Start and Resilient Delta Initiative) from TU Delft.
How to follow the module
- Begin with Self-Study: Start by exploring the infographic, Ethics in Transformative Research, which provides an overview of key concepts and frameworks.
- Supplement Your Learning: For a deeper understanding, review the recommended readings listed in the Ethics in Transformative Research Literature List.
- Deepen your learning: Watch the panel discussion between Julia Wittmayer and Katharine Bauer to dive deeper into ethics in transformative research.
- Participate in a Workshop: Engage with your peers and deepen your understanding by attending an Ethics in Transdisciplinary Research workshop. These sessions offer hands-on activities and discussions around ethical theories and their applications to real-world research dilemmas. Contact us for interest and further information.
- Workshop Preparation: To conduct the Ethics in Transdisciplinary Research workshop, access our presentation materials and supporting resources. These include:
- Workshop Resources: We also provide resource cards, which can be incorporated directly into the workshop to facilitate discussions and activities.
Have Questions?
Please reach out to Julia Wittmayer (j.m.wittmayer@drift.eur.nl) if you need further assistance or have any questions about the module or its resources.
- CV
Julia Wittmayer works as an Associate Professor at the Erasmus School of Social and Behavioural Sciences and as a senior researcher and advisor at DRIFT, Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR). Her work focuses on social innovations and their governance in the context of just sustainability transitions in urban areas and energy systems. To support the development of knowledge and action that address societal challenges, she develops and implements a variety of collaborative action-oriented research formats. An academic role at EUR’s Design Impact Transition Platform allows her to analyse the academic context and the roles of universities in and for just sustainability transitions in her recent work.
Katharina Bauer is an Associate Professor of Practical Philosophy at Erasmus School of Philosophy. She was a research fellow of the “Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG)”at Ruhr-Universität Bochum, visiting researcher of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation at Rijksuniversiteit Groningen and Goethe Universität Frankfurt a.M. and Visiting Professor at Freie Universität Berlin. In her research and teaching projects, she is connecting different philosophical traditions, and building bridges between academic philosophy, other disciplines, and civic society. Against the background of fundamental ethical concepts and ideals (such as: dignity, authenticity, autonomy, hope), she investigates the impact of current societal, technological, and ecological challenges on moral agents.
- More information
About the Design Impact Transition (DIT) platform
The Design Impact Transition (DIT) platform is a strategic initiative that creates infrastructures for transformative academic work at Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR). If you want to learn more about similar initiatives organised by the Design Impact Transition Platform, or if you would like to get involved in transforming education and academia, please email dit@eur.nl.
