When you work with inter- and transdisciplinary teams, you notice that people from different traditions - different disciplines and application fields - are used to doing things differently. These differences in practices can be as small as how many authors are usually on an academic article. But they also shape how research is conducted and ideas of which knowledge is good and should be included in research. These differences in practices find their origin in different underlying values and assumptions.
Working in inter- and transdisciplinary teams, thus inevitably requires overcoming differences in practices and customs. This can be done by engaging in dialogue about the underlying values and assumptions to better understand each other. We found, however, that the master students in our courses did not find this easy. For instance, because many of the underlying beliefs are implicit, or because they lacked the vocabulary to express and clearly articulate their views. Literature confirms that these challenges are not limited to students, but that researchers and practitioners also often struggle with these topics.
In response to these observations, we developed the Frame Reflection Lab tool. This tool provides a playful, fun, creative and interactive way to engage with these difficult conversation topics. The tool consists of three videos about four fictive researchers who share their ideas about science. These function as the starting point for conversations in the inter- and transdisciplinary teams. These conversations take place during one or two interactive workshops, which can take place online or offline, and are complemented by individual reflection exercises.
On this page you find all materials to use the FRL tool in your own practice: the videos, a detailed guide for the interactive workshops, an online workspace for the interactive workshop, printable materials to implement the interactive workshop in an offline setting, and different reflection exercises.
Do you want to know more about the scientific underpinnings of the FRL tool, its design and the implementation of the tool to support the development of interdisciplinary consciousness? Also read our article.