PATHWAYS

Overview

Universities are under increasing pressure to address complex societal challenges that cannot be effectively tackled within single disciplines. Institutionalising inter- and transdisciplinary research embeds collaboration across academic fields and with non-academic stakeholders into core university structures, incentives, and governance. Such integration strengthens research relevance, accelerates knowledge integration, and aligns universities more closely with societal needs, while requiring deliberate changes to funding models, career evaluation, and organisational culture.

Against this backdrop, this project examines how universities can develop effective processes to embed inter- and transdisciplinary approaches in teaching and research. Using PATHWAYS, the University of Strasbourg serves as a case study to analyse existing practices, identify structural and cultural enablers and barriers, and develop evidence-based pathways for sustainable institutional integration.

Interdisciplinarity at the University of Strasbourg builds on a longstanding multidisciplinary tradition. It promotes the integration and synthesis of diverse forms of knowledge, the combination of research methodologies, and the development of cross-disciplinary skills to address emerging societal challenges. In recent years, the University of Strasbourg has made significant investments in inter- and transdisciplinary initiatives across the institution. This meta-research project investigates these efforts with the aim of advancing institutional pathways for inter- and transdisciplinary research and education.

A central focus of the project is to understand how scholars, students, and societal actors interact within these initiatives, and to generate evidence-based insights to inform future university policies and funding strategies. The findings will support more consistent, transparent, and effective approaches to enabling inter- and transdisciplinary research and training, strengthening their contribution both within the University and beyond.

The methodology will comprise a literature review complemented by qualitative empirical methods, including observations of research and teaching practices, semi-structured

interviews, facilitated workshops, and focus groups. These activities will engage senior leadership teams, researchers, lecturers, students, and external stakeholders to capture diverse institutional perspectives and experiences.

Upon completion, the project will generate fundamental new knowledge on inter- and transdisciplinary research and training. Key outputs will include a set of indicators and best practices for research design, funding, and evaluation, alongside evidence-based recommendations for the University of Strasbourg. The findings will support more consistent, transparent, and effective approaches to supporting interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research and training, strengthening their contribution to the University and to society.

Project start and end dates: January 2026 – March 2028

Funder: University of Strasbourg, supported by IdEx Unistra (ANR-10-IDEX-0002), and by SFRI-STRAT’US project (ANR-20-SFRI-0012) under the framework of France 2030

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