Fostering Transdisciplinary & Participatory Research and Public Engagement with Research

The challenges of the 21st century – from the climate crisis to the digital transformation and societal polarisation – cannot be tackled from isolated perspectives. The role of science in working on these problems has been under discussion for some time now. It should not only generate new knowledge, but also actively contribute to overcoming societal challenges. Research can often only develop its full value for society if it is conceived and designed collaboratively – in an exchange between disciplines, forms of knowledge, organisations, and social actors.

With this in mind, the Stifterverband has commissioned a study that takes an exploratory look at the diverse forms of collaborative research in Germany. The aim of the study is to outline the various trends, approaches, and practices in the landscape of collaborative research, to make actors visible, and to better understand their motivations, obstacles, and potential. The aim is to find out where the Stifterverband can provide impetus to shape a scientific landscape that is socially effective and contributes to urgently needed transformation processes.

Stifterverband is a community consisting of around 3,500 dedicated individuals, companies and organisations from the realms of business, science and civil society in Germany. The aim of its work is to rethink and reshape education and science with a view to strengthening society’s long-term capacity for innovation. As a central driving force in these areas, Stifterverband analyses the latest challenges, supports model projects and allows them to be distributed in diverse networks. It networks business, science and civil society, develops ideas together and initiates political reforms. Its work is focused on two main areas: education/skills and collaborative research/innovation.