| Duration | 01.04.2025-31.03.2028 |
| Conducter | Prof. Dr. Tillmann Butschardt |
| Funding | Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt |
| Keywords |
Sustainability research, socio-ecological transformation, transdisciplinary research, real-world laboratory, transformative education, education for sustainable development, rural development, sustainable agricultural and food systems, planetary health, transformative resilience, inclusion, diversity, migration, (climate) flight, sustainable energy supply, sustainable digitalisation, artificial intelligence, municipal sustainability strategy, sustainable mobility, climate adaptation, utopias, social justice, human and planetary well-being, futurology |
Abstract
The inter- and transdisciplinary project ‘Making the future palatable’ is establishing a real-world laboratory in Tecklenburg to contribute to the practical and inclusive implementation of the municipal sustainability strategy. The aim is to promote the transformative resilience of the region and those involved in the context of multiple crises.
The multi-layered crises and processes of change, such as the climate crisis, wars, species extinction, social division and demographic change, highlight the need for far-reaching transformations, but they also cause uncertainty and fear. To ensure that democratic structures and processes are not further threatened, transformative approaches to education and action are needed to help turn insecurities and fears into courage, curiosity and confidence. However, in order for the potential and opportunities of change to take centre stage rather than the risks, people need to experience a sense of self-efficacy and the ability to shape the future. The motivation and encouragement to actively shape the future in this way is the guiding principle behind the concept of the real-world laboratory project.
Concrete solutions for upcoming challenges are trialled in real-world laboratories. The focus is on joint action and learning by different stakeholders. In this way, local transformation processes are supported. At the same time, the Tecklenburg living lab acts as a prototype and enables transfer to other regions and target groups. As part of the project, future modules are being developed that focus on individual transformation challenges and tie in with the fields of action of the sustainability strategy. Prof. Dr Sigrid Kannengießer is responsible for the future modules on ‘Sustainable digitalisation and artificial intelligence in municipalities’ together with Dr Lea Püchel (Business Informatics, University of Münster). The future modules take the form of ‘Utopia Dinners’.
The project is being implemented by various members of the Centre for Interdisciplinary Sustainability Research and is headed by Prof. Dr Tillmann Butschardt.