Are you a UT (pre-)Master's, PhD or EngD student? And would you like to learn how to shape desirable futures for and with others? Then join this innovative programme (as part of your elective space).
3 - 9 months
Certificate
Today's complex societal challenges call for different disciplines and backgrounds, in- and outside university, to think and work together. This is called “transdisciplinary collaboration”. However, transdisciplinary collaboration is hard. Conflicting attitudes, opinions, methodologies, and vocabulary often hinder effective collaboration, keeping societal challenges from being solved.
And this often also true if you work as disciplinary expert in an organisation: you will typically work with colleagues and stakeholders with a wide range of backgrounds. In the context of a specialized master’s, PhD or EngD program, it can be hard to learn how to effectively do so, making the transition to real world jobs extra challenging.
The Shaping Responsible Futures programme can help you to overcome these challenges. You will learn to transcend disciplinary boundaries and connect science to society by collaborating with real-world stakeholders, all to build confidence as a responsible change-maker.
The Shaping Responsible Futures program is widely recognized to be one of a kind. Rather than being a separate program, it is a 20EC program you can do next to your regular (pre-)Master, PhD or EngD program. This can be in the planned elective space of your (pre-)Master, in the education/training time of your PhD or EngD, or extracurricularly. Think about it as a transdisciplinary expansion module to your specialized disciplinary training!
Also the type of education is special. You work intensively in small interdisciplinary groups from all UT programs, in close interaction with both teachers and stakeholders, to solve real world challenges. The emphasis is on developing the crucial transdisciplinary skills, building transdisciplinary connections, and having positive impact. This is also reflected in the emphasis on feedback and learning: you will not receive grades, but only a pass-fail for each of the courses.
To make this small-scale, intensive education possible, we can only accept 30 students for each course each year. This means you need to apply for the programme. You can choose to apply for the full program, or just one or two courses. In previous years, the 30 spots were typically not filled, hence when you apply you have reasonable chances to be accepted.
Do note that successfully applying is only the first step. The courses are designed to really give you a deep dive into transdisciplinary collaboration, where your disciplinary effort is crucial for the success of the team. The motivation and willingness to go the extra mile to step outside your disciplinary comfort zone is crucial for your (and our) success in, and enjoyment of, the Shaping Responsible Futures programme.
If you have any questions, comments or concerns, please reach out to us at master-insert@utwente.nl. If you want to apply, please do so here. We look forward to hear from you!
In this course, you learn to create tools and materials to support creative group activities, involving people from a diversity of disciplinary backgrounds.
Quartile 2 | 5 EC
In this course, you learn all about connecting global challenges with local actions, histories with futures, and actions with reflection.
Quartile 3 | 10 EC
In this course, you will learn how to holistically manage changes in the design, development, and deployment of complex systems.
Quartile 4 | 5 EC
We work with students, teachers, and stakeholders from different disciplinary backgrounds.
Our programme is designed around the real-world challenges of our regional partners.
We help you to define, pursue, and achieve your personal learning goals.
"I believe that the programme greatly enhanced my teamwork skills. I was lacking in aspects that I only became aware of due to the close collaboration with my peers. I became a leader, but not in the traditional sense. Because leadership is not about pointing people the right way anymore, it is about making an impact collaboratively."
"The Master-Insert taught me the importance of working in a transdisciplinary manner. Some of the projects we worked on were so complex, that our individual expertise was not sufficient to come up with novel and effective solutions; it was the synergy of our disciplines that led to the outcomes that we are proud of."
"Over the years, I got a bit lost in what I wanted in life. The Shaping Responsible Futures programme helped me to get a deep insight into my own personality in relation to others. I now have a clear idea of what I personally want to develop and what kind of role I like to fulfil in teamwork."
"I was already quite familiar with different fields of research working together. However, even when combined, we tend to evaluate disciplines and their findings separately. In this programme, we experienced what it really means to think about a problem holistically. We were even encouraged to merge multiple disciplines into new approaches."
🧭 Self-Directed LearningYou get the freedom to pursue your own curiosity
🚀 Novel Educational ApproachYou are trained in activating workshops
⭕ Learning CommunityYou become part of DesignLab's community
💡 Engineering, Design, & Social SciencesYou learn to transcend disciplinary boundaries
🌍 Challenge-Based LearningYou work on real-world regional challenges
💭 Feedback FocusedYou receive feedback instead of grades
🔥 Transdisciplinary Front-RunnerYou experience a one-of-a-kind education
🎓 Shaping Responsible Futures CertificateYou earn an official certificate