STEAM-TRAIL map: A roadmap for European Higher Education Institutes to implement Transdisciplinary Innovation Labs

Sandler, Jan-Peter; Anđić, Branke; Nieboer, Maryvonne; Corazzini, Luca; Cosmovici Idsøe, Ella; Troelsgard Jensen, Nina; McGeever, James; Cretu, Carmen; Witte, Verena; Wolfensberger, Marca; Vandamme, Anne-Mieke

Abstract

Human development has spurred hypercomplex issues like pandemics and climate change, unmanageable through STEM-alone approaches. Addressing these demands collaboration across all academic (including non-STEM disciplines) and non-academic fields, necessitating a transdisciplinary approach. Higher education should cultivate 21st-century skills, like those in TRAnsdisciplinary Innovation Labs (STEAM-TRAIL), enabling adept collaboration on multifaceted problems within diverse groups. Through a Design-based research (DBR) approach, this manuscript explores the views and needs for transdisciplinarity in higher education from different participants (teachers, students, and policymakers) from 9 European countries that were involved in the STEAM+ research projectfunded by the EU ERASMUS+. The results of this study contributed to the creation of a transdisciplinaryconceptual model for implementation: the STEAM-TRAIL map. Addressing stakeholder needs for closer collaborations, clearer examples, and actionable steps, the map serves as a repository of STEAM+ project insights, guiding universities across Europe in initiating their STEAM-TRAILs and offering structured knowledge and experiences.