Conference Agenda

The inter-university module was designed for students across diverse degree programmes—including Sustainable Regional Development, Design, and Social Work—at three universities of applied sciences in North-West Brandenburg. These institutions collaborate within the framework of the joint project InNoWest – Einfach machen!, The project seeks to bridge the gap between academic research and regional practice, addressing local needs and initiatives through applied, participatory approaches.

Within this context, the module established a transdisciplinary curriculum grounded in service-learning principles. Students engaged in practice-oriented projects with regional partners, tackling challenges related to the ecology, economy, and society of the Elbe river region. Through collaboration with practitioners, students co-developed new narratives about the river that integrated both experiential knowledge and academic perspectives.

This transdisciplinary approach not only cultivates diverse viewpoints but also fosters the acquisition of key competencies aligned with Higher Education for Sustainable Development (HESD). Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) emphasizes inter- and transdisciplinarity, as the resolution of complex sustainability issues necessitates collaboration across academic disciplines and between academia and practice (Molitor et al., 2022). Such integrative processes are also central to democracy education for both students and participating stakeholders, which underscores participatory, inclusive, and deliberative practices (Carrapatoso, 2026). Moreover, research demonstrates that transdisciplinary education, problem-based engagement, and the active involvement of stakeholders in community-engaged programmes enable the addressing of multifaceted challenges, yielding holistic and innovative solutions (Chang et al., 2020).

In the presentation, we will first outline the structure and objectives of this cross-university module within the service-learning framework. Subsequently, we will elaborate on the methodological and didactic strategies employed, with particular attention to the transdisciplinary approach. Building on this foundation, we will illustrate how the concepts of democracy education and ESD intersect and mutually reinforce one another. Finally, we will discuss the potential for transferring this approach to other educational and practical contexts, identifying the necessary conditions for successful implementation and the learning outcomes for all stakeholders involved.