WIMEK Transformative Research for Sustainability Challenges

Contact

Contact person: AJ (Anouk) de Plaa MSc
Lecturers:

• Josephine Chambers (UU)
• Esther Turnhout (UT)
• Maria Tengo (SRC)
• Jeanne Nel (WUR)
• Anouk de Plaa (WUR)
• Esha Shah (WUR)
• Jessica Duncan (WUR)
• Birgit Boogaard (WUR)
• Jonas Colen Torrens (UU)
• Jillian Student (WUR)

Scope

“Transformative Research for Sustainability Challenges” provides PhD candidates with exciting concepts and methods to enhance the potential of their research to beneficially contribute to society and the environment. Participants are guided through a process designed to surface and examine fundamental assumptions that underpin their research approaches, to inspire future trajectories both within and beyond their PhD. This course is taught by a range of scholars in Wageningen University & Research (WUR), Utrecht University (UU), University of Twente (UT), and Stockholm Resilience Centre (SRC), who will guide students through critical concepts, methodological innovations, and tricky dilemmas that have challenged and enabled their own work. The course content focuses on four main aspects of transformative research identified in the 71 Visions Report. This course received an Education Innovation Award in 2021, and is supported by WIMEK and the Urban Futures Studio.

Main aspects of transformative research: Video

Education innovation award: Video

Aims and Learning goals

After the course, students should be able to:

• Explore different approaches to transformative research in case studies that aim to bring about just and sustainable futures 
• Develop skills to evaluate how key aspects of research design, implementation, analysis and communication affect the contribution of research to addressing sustainability challenges
• Build knowledge, confidence and ability to apply transformative processes /methods in your own present and future research and navigate emerging challenges to maximize its beneficial impacts
• Connect with a growing network of diverse researchers to further your inspiration and capability to undertake transformative research in collaboration with others

Assumed knowledge

No previous knowledge is assumed. All who are enrolled as a doctoral candidate (at any university) at the time of this course are welcome to apply.

Outline of the course

The introduction to the course is split across two half-days to explore: what is “transformative research", and what roles does it entail? This will be followed by four full-day trainings, and one final day of harvesting collective insights. The course involves the following main components:

• Lectures and dynamic exercises that explore transformative concepts and methods, delivered by a broad range of scholars undertaking transformative approaches in their research
• In-depth engagement with novel case studies that involve diverse societal actors to transform possible futures
• Crafting of your own personal narrative of how your research can contribute to just and sustainable futures
• Participation in peer-to-peer learning sessions and walks
• Home study (readings, videos, writing) in between sessions
• Informal social interactions with peers and teaching team

General information

The course will take place on the Wageningen University Campus

Course includes: Course + course materials + lunch + Coffee and tea

The fee also covers an opening drinks reception and one course dinner.
The course fee does not include travel, accommodation and all other meals. We will share details on affordable accommodation.

Participants selection

Note that we are aiming for a diverse group of PhD candidates and have a maximum of 35 participants; hence, places for the course will be decided based on the motivation of the PhD candidate when registering, and a good balance in disciplinary backgrounds. We will select participants based on 1) the diversity of interested PhD candidates, such as in terms of scientific background, research focus, and institute and 2) on the answers to the following questions in the registration form: 

1. Why do you want to take this specific course? And why now? (max 250 words)
2. What does 'transformative research' mean to you? (max 250 words)

We will contact you on the outcome of the selection procedure by the end of November 2025. Please note that after being selected for the course, your registration becomes final, which means that payment of the course fee will be required, and the cancellation policy will apply. 

Scholarships

We are pleased to offer three partial scholarships to support the participation of PhD candidates from institutions based in the Global South. These scholarships will cover accommodation and the course fee. Travel and meals are not covered by the scholarship. If you want to apply for this scholarship, you can indicate this on the registration form. You will be informed by the end of November 2025 if you are selected for this scholarship. 

General information

Registration

Go to registration form (opening 25-09-2025, closing 31-10-2025)

Course duration

2 weeks

Credit points

3 ECTS

Language

English

Group size

20-35 people

Fee

• 480 euro for PhD candidates registered from Utrecht University, Wageningen University, University of Twente, Eindhoven University of Technology, University Medical Center Utrecht, and Stockholm Resilience Center
• 520 euro for all other PhD candidates
• 1080 euro for all other academics and non-academics

Included: Course + course materials + lunch + Coffee and tea
The fee also covers an opening drinks reception and one course dinner.
The course fee does not include travel, accommodation and all other meals. We will share details on affordable accommodation.

Cancellation conditions

• Up to 6 (six) weeks prior to the start of the course, cancellation is free of charge.
• Up to 3 (three) weeks prior to the start of the course, a fee of 240 euro will be charged.
• Within 3 (three) weeks prior to the start of the course, a fee of 480 euro will be charged.

Note: If you would like to cancel your registration, ALWAYS inform us. By NOT paying the participation fee, your registration is NOT automatically cancelled (and do note that you will be kept to the cancellation conditions).

Also note that when there are not enough participants, we can cancel the course. We will inform you if this is the case a week after the early bird deadline. Please take this into account when arranging your trip to the course (I.e. check the re-imburstment policies).