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Stellenbosch University (SU) is pleased to offer its next Transdisciplinary Summer School on Sustainability.

Science for Sustainability with Society

The problem

Africa faces complex sustainability challenges relating, for example, to the problems of increasing poverty; climate change; natural resource depletion; energy, water and food security; waste and pollution; biodiversity loss; rapid urbanisation; loss of cultural diversity, identity and relational values etc.

The challenge

These coupled socio-ecological problems are too complex for the single disciplines to solve. They cannot be understood and addressed using mono-disciplinary approaches only. Sustainability is a transdisciplinary challenge, which requires the collaboration of disciplines and between academia and society.

What you will learn

Responding to this challenge, participants will be introduced to the key principles and practices of transdisciplinarity as an appropriate means of co-producing knowledge in, with and for society. You will, amongst others, learn and reflect upon:

• the meaning of transdisciplinarity
• the accountability of science in society and the role it plays in addressing sustainability problems
• how to define complex research problems
• how to formulate research questions in order to contribute to the transition of real-world problems and produce new scientific knowledge at the same time
• how to integrate knowledge from different disciplines and from science and society
• how to design a transdisciplinary research process.

Who should attend

The Summer School is aimed at prospective doctoral students interested in enrolling for the University's Transdisciplinary Doctoral Programme in Sustainability, in particular those who want to learn how to integrate different knowledge and value systems when dealing with complex societal problems in the African context.

Learning approach

Class room work, case studies, personal reflection and participation are combined to provide participants with a unique learning experience. This will equip them with the knowledge of the theory and practice of transdisciplinary research necessary for preparing their individual research proposals. A recommended reading list is provided below.

Core Modules & Presenters

Drawing on the knowledge and experience of local and international experts, participants will be able to share experiences with others from around the world and to develop their own ideas w.r.t their individual research projects. The Summer School consists of the following three core modules, that applicants can choose from according to their individual needs:

Complexity Theory & Complex Systems
Dates: 18 - 23 February 2013
Presenters: Jannie Hofmeyr and Rika Preiser
Venue: Sustainability Institute

Transdisciplinary Theory & Methodology
Dates: 4 - 8 March 2013
Presenters: Mark Swilling, Brian Child and John van Breda
Venue: Sustainability Institute

Sustainability & Sustainable Development
Dates: 11 - 16 March 2013
Presenters: Mark Swilling & Eve Annecke
Venue: Sustainability Institute

Additional information

Cost: Transdisciplinarity module = R3,500.00 (incl. VAT; excl. accommodation) - For costs of the Complexity and Sustainability modules - please contact Gyro Valentyn on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or consult: Sustainability Institute

Registration: For further information please contact John van Breda,email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

View the Summer School reading list here.