Process, improvisation, holarchic learning loops and all that jazz: experiences in transdisciplinary education for sustainable development

Abstract

This paper explores the experiences of an ‘Interdisciplinary Sustainability Assessment Laboratory’ (‘ISA Lab’) workshop, which took place over a week at Universitat Politècnica de València during April 2017. The workshop drew together students from a range of disciplines from across engineering and science, law and the social sciences and from a range of countries and backgrounds, including North and South America, Europe and Asia. It also facilitated a rich co-creative learning environment as it was led by (engineering) academic faculty from across Europe (Spain, UK, Netherlands and Ireland) as well as North America (Canada), as well as local experts who helped provide participants with appropriate context and guidance. The workshops culminated with a number of presentations from respective student groups, where they outlined an integrated development plan for a selected real life local project.