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Embedding Higher Education into a Real-World Lab: A Process-Oriented Analysis of Six Transdisciplinary Project Courses

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  • Richard Beecroft

    (Institute for Technology Assessment and Systems Analysis, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, 76021 Karlsruhe, Germany
    Institute for Ethics and Transdisciplinary Sustainability Research, Leuphana University, 21335 Lüneburg, Germany)

Abstract

Since the early days of the emerging research format of Real-world Labs (RwLs), higher education plays a vital role in them. Examples have been presented on teaching activities in RwLs, but the reasons for and evidence of their inclusion stays limited. To start a systematic discussion on the embedding of higher education in RwLs, this paper presents the case of six Transdisciplinary Project Courses carried out in the RwL “District Future—Urban Lab” in Karlsruhe/Germany. The paper presents the discourses on the role of learning in RwLs and compares it to those on Transition Labs and Urban Living Labs. To offer a new approach to address this aspect, the paper introduces a social practice perspective to map out the interrelations between an RwL and higher education therein. The detailed analysis of the processes is used to identify the potential of the RwL to support learning. It shows that all dimensions of social practice can be identified in the interplay between Real-world Lab and Transdisciplinary Project Courses, even though to a very different degree and in different phases. The text closes with lessons learned for teaching project courses in RwLs and similar labs.

Suggested Citation

  • Richard Beecroft, 2018. "Embedding Higher Education into a Real-World Lab: A Process-Oriented Analysis of Six Transdisciplinary Project Courses," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(10), pages 1-20, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:10:p:3798-:d:177061
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    5. Lauren Withycombe Keeler & Fletcher D. Beaudoin & Amy M. Lerner & Beatrice John & Richard Beecroft & Kaidi Tamm & Arnim Wiek & Daniel J. Lang, 2018. "Transferring Sustainability Solutions across Contexts through City–University Partnerships," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-17, August.
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    Cited by:

    1. Daniela Kempa & Leena Karrasch & Torsten Schlurmann & Martin Prominski & Oliver Lojek & Evke Schulte-Güstenberg & Jan Visscher & Oliver Zielinski & Nils Goseberg, 2023. "Design and Insights Gained in a Real-World Laboratory for the Implementation of New Coastal Protection Strategies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-20, March.
    2. Hacer Tercanli & Ben Jongbloed, 2022. "A Systematic Review of the Literature on Living Labs in Higher Education Institutions: Potentials and Constraints," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-27, September.
    3. Diego Hernando Florez Ayala & Anete Alberton & Aksel Ersoy, 2022. "Urban Living Labs: Pathways of Sustainability Transitions towards Innovative City Systems from a Circular Economy Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-29, August.
    4. Laura Gebhardt & Mascha Brost & Alexandra König, 2019. "An Inter- and Transdisciplinary Approach to Developing and Testing a New Sustainable Mobility System," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(24), pages 1-22, December.

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