BOOSTing Education: A Toolkit for Change at KU Leuven

Transdisciplinary education, which integrates knowledge and methods from various disciplines and involve societal actors to address complex problems, is essential for developing holistic and innovative solutions to sustainability challenges. However, the current university structure and culture in Flanders are not conducive to transdisciplinary education. Although there are interdisciplinary research projects, courses and bachelor’s / master’ thesis projects that cross traditional disciplinary boundaries and integrate (non-academic) stakeholder input are not yet integrated into the main curriculum, limiting students’ ability to truly engage in transdisciplinary learning . Moreover, transdisciplinary learning requires a shift from dominant disciplinary outcome-oriented teaching and learning towards process-oriented transformative practices to develop the assets (e.g., motivation, attitudes, values, beliefs, etc.) needed for addressing complex challenges (Horn et al., 2024). This structural and cultural gaps hinder the potential for meaningful (or fruitful) collaboration between academia, society, and businesses, which is crucial for addressing sustainability issues. 

Duurzaam Educatiepunt, SOS International, and the Institute for the Future – KU Leuven envision a future where transdisciplinary research and education become a standard part of bachelor’s and master’s programs, allowing students to work on real-world problems with diverse stakeholders. To achieve this vision, it is necessary to understand the current barriers within the academic system, explore successful models from other systems  (e.g., Rotterdam, Utrecht, Delft, Eindhoven, Gent, etc.) In addressing  this challenge, we hope to bridge the gap between academia and societal needs, better preparing a new generation of students equipped to drive the sustainability transition.