Transdisciplinary work offers a solution for addressing complex transition challenges in the areas of climate, health, mobility, food, the circular economy, and so on. Complex transition challenges require an approach that both brings together the perspectives of all stakeholders and offers concrete action steps. Often, these two approaches are mutually exclusive: complexity leads to paralysis, preventing any action from being taken, or the problems are oversimplified, resulting in treating symptoms rather than causes and suboptimal solutions. By integrating diverse knowledge and perspectives, it is possible to achieve a deeper understanding and innovative insights into urgent issues. These can form the basis for well-considered choices regarding the sustainable transitions through which we will shape the future together.
NECTR originated from the Community of Practice “Transdisciplinary Work for Transitions,” established by KIN and the Groene Brein. From there, a group of 13 organizations, encouraged by KIN, took the initiative to establish NECTR. NECTR’s mission is to mobilize knowledge for societal transitions. To this end, NECTR is building an open network in which anyone can participate. NECTR does this by promoting collaboration, knowledge sharing, and recognition of transdisciplinary work, and by providing a platform for knowledge exchange, training, and impactful applications. The network aims to establish transdisciplinary work as a professional and recognized scientific method for addressing complex societal challenges, and in doing so, seeks to develop a sustainable network as well as high-quality knowledge and skills for both scientific and societal impact.
On April 3, 2025, the National Expertise Center for Transdisciplinarity (NECTR) was officially launched during the EWUU Community Day in Ede. In the coming months, NECTR will develop a model for the participation of organizations and initiatives with knowledge or experience in transdisciplinary work, or those actively seeking such opportunities.
About this collaboration
Duration
December 2024 – Present
Location
Nationwide
Parties involved
Het Groene Brein, Drift, RVO, TNO, Convergence, EWUU Alliance (EWUU Education & CUCO), Rathenau Institute, NWO, Fraim, Athena Institute, Systemic Co-design Expertise Network, AMS Institute
