Program Area
Transdisciplinary & Transformative Research
Overview
This program area designs and implements interdisciplinary, transdisciplinary, participatory, and transformative research activities addressing complex rural and agricultural challenges. Drawing on extensive social science expertise from both the Global North and South, the area combines qualitative and quantitative methodologies within interactive innovation and multi-actor research settings.
Key Activities
- Conducting participatory and multi-actor research in agrifood and rural innovation projects
- Applying qualitative and quantitative social science methods, including surveys, interviews, focus groups, stakeholder mapping, and participatory observation
- Facilitating co-creation, stakeholder engagement, and collaborative inquiry processes
- Analysing social, institutional, behavioural, and governance dimensions of innovation and transformation
- Integrating scientific, local, and experiential knowledge into research and innovation processes
- Supporting reflective and transformative learning within research and innovation projects
- Carry out Organizational Capacity assessment and development for innovation support
Our Methodology
Field Initiatives
CANALLS
CANALLS aims to drive agroecological transitions in the humid tropics of Central and Eastern Africa via multi-actor transdisciplinary Agroecology Living Labs (ALLs) and providing holistic agroecological solutions that meet the challenges of the local food systems
COINS
The goal of COINS is the sustainable intensification of agriculture, i.e. increasing productivity without converting additional land. The German-African project team is investigating which efficient forms of land management are effective in intensifying agriculture on the same area in a sustainable manner – taking into account local conditions such as water availability and soil properties, but also socio-economic conditions in particular.
SERVINNOV
Strengthening innovation support SERVices to enhance INNOVations for sustainable food production, ensuring rural population well-being, and reducing environmental degradation and resource depletion
INCAA
Food Security and Climate Action Theough Soil and Water conservation