In this challenge, master students work on defining complex societal challenges through interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research. The solutions will be supported by data and relevant academic literature. Students will receive training and guidance from lecturers at VU.
In the 21st century, we face complex societal challenges such as climate change, pollution, social segregation, digitalization, and inequality in health, literacy, and wealth. These 'wicked' problems require a multidisciplinary approach involving various stakeholders to effectively address them. This course provides students with both theoretical knowledge and practical experience in analyzing and defining these complex issues through literature, lectures, and interviews with societal actors. The course culminates in a public event where different perspectives are integrated to form a well-rounded definition of the issues, which will be further explored in a follow-up course, ICSL 2.
✅ Key features of the challenge
Program: All Master students of the VU can apply
Course: Interdisciplinary Community Service Learning: Defining Challenges In a Multi-Stakeholder Context Interdisciplinary Community Service Learning: Defining Challenges In a Multi-Stakeholder Context | Study Guide (vu.nl)
Students per team: 3-4 students, multiple teams
No. of hours spent per team: the study load is 80 hours for this course
Duration: November- December
Supervision: Student teams are supervised and guided by lecturers
Deliverables: Presentation and report with recommendations. Closing event at the end of the course.
Company time investment: 8-12 hours in total (e.g. kick-off meeting, weekly meeting, final presentation)
🏢 Company requirement
Any societal partner
📨 How to apply
You can submit the challenge directly through the website. Provide a title that summarises the challenge. Subsequently, briefly elaborate on your challenge. See link for a template you could use: https://link.masterchallenge.me/challenge-template or use the challenge generator: https://masterchallenge.me/challenge-generator
🗓 Planning
DATE: Deadline for submitting your challenge (01-10-2025)
DATE: Receiving message if your challenge is approved by the Course Coordinator (within days of applying)
DATE: Kick-off meeting with your team-> the first week of the course
DATE: Final presentations in time slots of 30 minutes (after you are matched to a team, we will schedule the time slots).
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