This was the guiding question of the workshop, which took place on the 23rd of October with the participation of Master’s and PhD students from WU and Uni Wien, who explored the core ideas of transformative and transdisciplinary science. Alongside the core discussion on the societal role of science and academic institutions, the workshop offered a reflection on structural constraints, including the care work of early career researchers.

Stressing the need to balance planetary and social boundaries, Marco Kellhammer and Jan Freihardt (the facilitators) introduced the concept of transformative science as both a practice of societal change and a critical reflection on academic institutions. It is not about replacing other forms of research, but about asking critical questions:

• Who benefits from research?

• Whose knowledge counts?

• How can science serve as a force for equity and sustainability?

The Workshop created a space for participants to reflect on and reimagine the structures that shape scientific practice.They uncovered how visible inequalities are rooted in deeper systemic, cultural, and metaphorical layers and envisioned an “Academia 2040” where science is a participatory, human-centered, and socially embedded practice. 

Facilitators: Marco Kellhammer and Jan Freihardt, both active members of the association Wissenschaf(f)t Zukünfte e.V., which connects students and early-career researchers interested in transformative science. In 2021, they published the book Draußen ist es anders. Auf neuen Wegen zu einer Wissenschaft für den Wandel.

Organizers: WU SEEP-students Filipa Reis and Elisabeth Hartmann, with support from STaR.

Sustainable Development Goals the workshop addressed: 

• SDG4 (quality education)

• SDG5 (gender equality)

• SDG16 (Peace, justice and strong institutions)

• SDG17 (Partnership for the goals)