From 16 to 19 June 2025, the OSCE Academy hosted a 3.5-day workshop focused on Transdisciplinary Education and Research (TDER) for Sustainable Development. This workshop was collaboratively organized with the Intersectoral School of Governance Baden-Württemberg (ISoG BW) and the SPCE Hub, bringing together lecturers, researchers, and experts from Central Asia and Europe. The opening began with welcoming remarks from Dr. Pal Dunay, Director of the OSCE Academy, followed by contributions from Dr. Kishimjan Osmonova and Dr. Sebastian Schiek, both from the SPCE Hub. The initial day was led by Dr. Philipp Thorsten, Advisor to the Presidium of TU Berlin, who introduced foundational concepts of transdisciplinary concepts of transdisciplinary learning. Significant attention was devoted to discussing various pedagogical formats pertinent to transdisciplinary education, including Service Learning, Social Entrepreneurship Education, Internships, and Living Labs. In the afternoon, participants engaged in collaborative group work to identify specific challenges and devise innovative teaching formats, subsequently presenting their findings.
On the second day of the workshop, sessions facilitated by Dr. Monika Gonser, Head of the Intersectoral School of Governance BW, and Dr. Jochen Eckart, Chair of Transport Ecology at Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences, delved into the foundational principles of transdisciplinary research. The day began with illustrative examples of Living Labs, derived from both engineering and social sciences, which were used to unpack the concept of real-world experimentation. Afternoon discussions concentrated on stakeholder analysis, communication strategies – including campaigning and storytelling – and the formulation of valid research questions derived from problem description.
On 18 June, participants translated theoretical insights into practice by drafting initial proposals for their own Living Labs. Working in small groups, they benefited from peer-to-peer consultations and facilitator input, with group discussions meticulously documented to support the continued development of their ideas. The afternoon was allocated for the presentation of draft plans and the compilation of recommendations for regional cooperation and follow-up actions within Central Asia, with group work extending into the later sessions.
The day’s activities culminated in a public panel discussion entitled “Geopolitical Trends and Sustainable Development: A Dialogue on Future Pathways for Central Asia and Europe.” Moderated by Dr. Schiek, the panel included Dr. Dunay, Dr. Emil Dzhuraev, Senior Lecturer in the MA in Politics and Security Programme at the OSCE Academy, Ainur Sospanova, Co-Founder and Director of the Qazaq Green Association in Kazakhstan, and David Ritter, Senior Researcher for Energy System Analysis at the Öko-Institut. The discussion centered on the intersection of geopolitics and sustainability, particularly addressing the energy transition and European energy policy implications for Central Asia. The session fostered an open dialogue, inviting engagement and inquiries from the audience.
The final day, 19 June, featured the presentation of the completed projects by the working groups. This was followed by a structured discussion on the prospects and challenges associated with TDER within the context of higher education in Central Asia. The workshop concluded with an evaluation session, and the presentation of certificates to the participants.