The academic changemaker

Abstract

Transdisciplinary research can be a powerful means to achieve a change in society. This participatory form of research is becoming increasingly common in climate and energy research. However, transdisciplinary research can be challenging. Which role should a researcher adopt when collaborating with societal actors? This master thesis focuses on challenges around transdisciplinary researcher-roles at a specific academic research institute: the Center for climate and energy transformation (CET) at the University of Bergen in Norway. Through design-based research, the thesis developed a tool that can help starting researchers at CET (students and PhD-candidates) to reflect on these challenges. First, a descriptive case-study at CET analyzed which challenges researchers at CET face, using semi-structured interviews, logbooks and focus groups. Next, the research designed a reflection tool, using brainstorming techniques, prototype evaluations session and a test session. The resulting reflection tool is a card-game that makes CET-researchers exchange ideas about which roles to adopt in a playful way. Through the game, the CET-researchers learn a new language with which they can talk about researcher roles. They widen their repertoire to think and speak about what they want to contribute to transdisciplinary collaborations and how they can do that. This can help them when making role-divisions in researcher-teams and when discussing expectations with collaboration partners. Helping the academic changemaker reflect on their role in transdisciplinary collaboration – it is a crucial step towards creating more conscious and purposeful collaborations with the ability to transform society in the face of climate change.