Inter- and transdisciplinarity in research at UZH

In a rapidly changing environment with global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss and social inequality, the complementary perspectives of different disciplines and their approaches to solutions are in demand. Inter- and transdisciplinary research and teaching play a crucial role in understanding system dynamics and and dealing with conflicting goals. While interdisciplinary approaches harness these different perspectives to solve scientific problems, transdisciplinary research goes one step further by explicitly addressing societal problems and integrating scientific actors in the development of solutions. 

Inter- and transdisciplinarity takes place in particular in the University Research Priority Programs (URPP) and Competence Centers at UZH. Since 2021, the conditions for interdisciplinary research across departments, institutes and faculties have been strengthened by the structural funding program TRANSFORM (To Reach A New Structure For Optimal Research and Methods). Of the six research structures supported by TRANSFORM to date, the One Health Institute in particular works on topics relating to sustainable development.
URPP and Competence Centers for sustainable development
to TRANSFORM

UZH makes itself available to its researchers, staff and students to facilitate innovative measures for sustainable operations. Measures for sustainable operations are developed and tested in transdisciplinary teams.
The UZH as a subject of research

The RealTransform project will make an important contribution to inter- and transdisciplinary collaboration at UZH.
Project RealTransform

Since Fall semester 2023 UZH offers the Study Week «Sustainable Development and Transformation». Basic information about the program can be found via the link.
to the Study Week «Sustainable Development and Transformation»