The need for cross-disciplinary collaboration is growing, both in tackling the world's clustering problems and in attracting research funding. According to Margit Keller, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences and the main organiser of the conference, there is quite a lot of experience in the field of interdisciplinary cooperation in Estonia, but it has largely not been systematically analysed. “From a global perspective, there is a wealth of methodological and also philosophical material on the processes and techniques of inter- and transdisciplinary science. This deserves to be shared, so that those interested in basic and applied science can be better equipped with the tools they need,” Keller explained.  

Therefore, the conference presentations and the ensuing discussion will be driven by the questions of how to overcome the pitfalls of interdisciplinary and cross-disciplinary collaboration and how to broaden the research horizons through transdisciplinary problem-solving.  

The opening keynote address will be given by Associate Professor Jonas Torrens from the Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development at Utrecht University. Torrens will give a closer look at the experience gained in the compilation of a transdisciplinary research guide and in the work of the Centre for Unusual Collaborations. Alongside lessons from the Netherlands, he will also explore how universities can create a supportive environment for cross-disciplinary research.