Prof. Seema Purushothaman
Ecological Economist and Development Scholar
Center of Transdisciplinary Research and Education
At WPU GŌA, we strive to transcend traditional silos and university walls through collaborative research projects that include academic as well as non-academic partners. The objective of the Centre of Excellence on TDR is to support the vision and mission of the university with capacity building, knowledge sharing events, and consultancy. The Centre brings together experts on transdisciplinarity from India and around the world to consult MIT WPU GŌA on the infrastructure, research projects, educational activities and content of the institution.
Transdisciplinarity in Research and Education
Transdisciplinary research is an approach that iteratively interweaves knowledge systems, skills, methodologies, values, and fields of expertise within inclusive and innovative collaborations. It bridges academic disciplines and community perspectives, merging science and practice to develop transformative outcomes that respond to complex societal challenges in a robust and meaningful way.
However, transdisciplinarity is not merely a tool to generate optimal solutions. It is a way of living, working and thinking that democratizes knowledge-making practices and empowers diverse stakeholders to engage actively with the problems they experience.
When scientists collaborate with society as equal partners on relevant problems, the process of knowledge discovery becomes a mutual learning process for all partners involved, shifting from a top-down to a transformative approach.
Activities
To protect and further develop the mindset and attitudinal principles of transdisciplinarity at WPU GŌA and beyond through collaboration with scholars, practitioners and grassroot initiatives with the purpose of addressing contemporary complex and entangled issues in integral and empathic manner.
- To support and deliberate the basic conditions are in place to help TD learning flourish at WPU GŌA.
- To build capacity of faculties and researchers at WPU GŌA to deliver TD learning and research, through workshops, faculty development programmes (FDPs), lectures, and collaborative projects.
- Provide annual advisory reports for WPU GŌA on ongoing organisation, research- and teaching related activities in line with the vision of TD research and learning.
- To give advice on how to establish collaborative research projects with partners in India and globally.
- Advise on TDR methodology for ongoing research activities at WPU GŌA.
Members
