Tentative Theses on Transformative Research in Real-World Laboratories

Niko Schäpke,D Lang,F Stelzer,Matthias Bergmann

doi:10.14512/tatup.25.3.45

Niko Schäpke, D Lang + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.14512/tatup.25.3.45

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Abstract

Real-world laboratories are growing in popularity promising a contribution to both: the understanding and facilitation of societal transformation towards Baden-Wurttemberg substantially funds real-world labs as part of the initiative science for sustainability. To facilitate learning with and from these so-called BaWu-Labs, they are supported by accompanying research conducted by two teams. This article presents first insights and theses on real-world labs as a research format, based in particular on the work of the accompanying research team ForReal. The team supports the labs in their realization and in providing general insights, e.g. by learning from related international research approaches and dialog with international experts, and analyzes suitable quality features and methods (the latter together with the University of Basel team). The theses presented here put up for discussion first insights on real-world labs as a transformative research approach and reflect on them from a theoretical perspective. They illustrate the relevance of a goal-oriented use of methods and present learning processes as core characteristics of real-world labs. The theses were formulated based on discussions with the BaWu-Labs, exchange in international contexts as well as a thematic literature review.

Highlights

Reallabore sind ein zunehmend populäres Forschungsformat, welches dazu beitragen soll, eine gesellschaftliche Transformation in Richtung Nachhaltigkeit sowohl zu verstehen als auch zu gestalten
Real-world labs adhere to several principles of transdisciplinary research as formulate e.g. by Bergmann et al (2012), Defila et al (2006) and Lang et al (2012)
Thereby real-world labs explicitly include the testing of solutions in experiments that potentially directly contribute to change - an aspects that can be located within transdisciplinary research, but is usually not at its core (Wiek/Lang 2016)

Summary

Literatur

J.M.; Bühr, M.; Holzbaur, U., 2015: Nachhaltigkeit im Kinder-„Garten“. Raum- und erlebnisorientierte Konzepte in der frühkindlichen Bildung für nachhaltige Entwicklung. Tentative Theses on Transformative Research in Real-World Laboratories. This article presents first insights and theses on real-world labs as a research format, based in particular on the work of the accompanying research team ForReal. The team supports the labs in their realization and in providing general insights, e.g. by learning from related international research approaches and dialog with international experts, and analyzes suitable quality features and methods (the latter together with the University of Basel team). The theses presented here put up for discussion first insights on real-world labs as a transformative research approach and reflect on them from a theoretical perspective. 1. Supporting and interconnecting the real-world laboratories in order to facilitate the implementation process and mutual learning, developing transferable insights, and embedding the labs into national and international networks. Sie wurden gewonnen aus Diskussionen mit den BaWü-Labs sowie aus Beobachtungen und Diskursen in anderen internationalen Zusammenhängen sowie einem thematischen Literatur-Review

BaWü-Labs and the Accompanying Research

Theses on Research in Real-world Laboratories

Practicality

Reflection

Discussion and Outlook