04: Crossing Borders: Overcoming Barriers – Bridging Disciplines – Rethinking Cultures

The discussions in this workshop will concern three main areas: How can sciences and research be innovated to question traditional forms of knowledge and knowledge production, and thus go beyond their determined limits? Which benefits can this paradigmatic opening up bring about for companies and organizations in terms of growth and innovation? Which preconditions are required to make effective use of alternative forms of knowledge?
One key approach lies in the promotion of so far insufficiently utilized human and intellectual potentials, esp. of young scientists, of women researchers, and of individuals with experiences in alternative cultures of science. Another important access is the furthering of transdisciplinary research, including the active participation of non-scientists with their specific interests and lived experience.
The initiatives and research programs developed by the Austrian Ministry of Education, Science and Culture are basically targeted at these issues, whereby at the same time a crucial European Union aim is met.
The working group is designed to invite representatives from science, research and companies to discuss conjoint strategies for the sketched “crossing borders” and their implications for the resulting remake of scientific and organizational cultures. Examples of good practice shall work as a means for developing models for the concrete realization of ideas brought about.