Courses
Source: https://www.utwente.nl/en/education/master/programmes/transdisciplinary-master-insert/courses/ Parent: https://www.utwente.nl/en/education/master/programmes/transdisciplinary-master-insert/registration/
Our courses are designed for master students from all academic disciplines. They are based on The three pillars: transdisciplinarity, real-world challenges, and personal development.
Currently, we offer three courses (10 EC each). You can join one, two, or all three! In each course, you are trained in workshop settings, using activating and engaging work forms such ascase analyses, role-play simulations, open discussion sessions, design studios, and debates. In addition, to develop the required knowledge base, you are provided with academic literature, (guest-)lectures, and seminars from academics and professional experts.
Creative Intelligence (Q2 | 10 EC)
Collaboration brings both opportunities and challenges to the table. One of these challenges is to recognize, understand, and communicate across disciplinary boundaries and to arrive at transdisciplinary learning spaces. In this course you will get the necessary tools and knowledge to engage in transdisciplinary collaboration.
Building on theories of design thinking and insights from design practice and creative facilitation, we will explore new ways of making people's know-how effective in transdisciplinary settings. You will learn learn to create tools and materials to support a creative group activity, involving people from a diversity of disciplinary backgrounds.
Responsible Futuring (Q3 | 10 EC)
In this course you learn to proactively design interventions that co-shape societies for so-called pluriversal futures. You will develop the mindset, knowledge, and skills to help transform the social, environmental, and economic system. You will develop a challenge analysis and an experiential provocative prototype, aimed at engaging stakeholders in a transformation of society in a local context.
Working in a transdisciplinary manner, we will collaboratively connect global challenges with local actions, histories with futures, academic with societal perspectives, action with reflection, and critical modes with creative modes of thinking and design. You will learn how to conduct hands-on co-imagining and co-shaping activities with different representatives from academia, government, industry, and society.
Leading Systemic Change (Q4 | 10 EC)
Big plans for innovative initiatives that change our lives are easier designed than realized. They are multi-layered, circular, and systemic in nature. Yet, many engineers, managers, and analysts attempt to simplify these systems into linear models with simple relationships.
Combining systems thinking and change making, you will learn how to holistically create change by understanding the design, development, and deployment of complex systems. We will dive deep into the change making process and explore various ways of systems thinking.
Note:
You can join the courses as elective or as extracurricular activity. Please contact your study advisor to check which option suits your individual study plan best.
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out: master-insert@utwente.nl.
Learning Goals
You will learn to combine social science, design, and engineering perspectives and collaborate with students, stakeholders, and academics from a wide range of disciplines. After completing the master-insert, you:
- are competent in approaching complex societal challenges as a transdisciplinary innovation project
- are competent in applying relevant disciplinary insights to the analysis of societal challenges in a multidisciplinary team
- are competent in transcending disciplinary perspectives in creative, systemic and responsible designs
- have a constructive attitude towards societal challenges, disciplinary perspectives, and integrated designs
- are competent in collaborating and communicating across disciplinary and social boundaries
- have a leader's attitude and aim for societal impact
Assessment
The assessment philosophy of the Transdisciplinary Master-Insert is "Feedback First". Instead of receiving a grade, you receive a pass (or fail) for the course(s), together with extensive feedback related to the quality of your work and the process. We believe this greatly benefits your professional and personal growth.
Real-World Challenges
The Shaping Responsible Futures programme is designed around real-world challenges, which are shaped in collaboration with DesignLab and regional partners. Navigating these real-world challenges won't be easy. Often, the complexity of these problems—whether they involve technical systems, societal issues, or environmental concerns—can feel overwhelming. It’s hard to know where to begin, and even harder to find a way forward that brings everyone together. But our courses are designed to turn that uncertainty into an opportunity.
Here, you'll learn to embrace complexity rather than shy away from it. Each challenge is open-ended, putting you in the driver’s seat. You’ll be given the tools, frameworks, and support to explore the root issues and make the challenge your own. By working closely with stakeholders—whether they come from industry, government, or society—you'll collaborate to co-create meaningful solutions that are grounded in real-world contexts.
Our courses are not about giving you predefined answers. Instead, they encourage you to think beyond traditional boundaries, foster a mindset that balances creativity with responsibility, and build the confidence to lead in complex, transdisciplinary environments. You'll learn to connect theory with practice, critically reflect on the process, and ultimately make a difference by shaping the future together with your peers and stakeholders.
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2025
Apr 2025
Stedin
Challenge: "How can we move from asset- to system-level performance in the energy grid?"
Leading Systemic Change | Cohort 2024/2025 | Stakeholder: Stedin
Apr 2025
Feb 2025
Mobility in Enschede
Challenge: "Co-define and co-frame the current challenges related to Enschede's mobility system"
Responsible Futuring | Cohort 2024/2025 | Stakeholder: Municipality of Enschede
Feb 2025
2024
Nov 2024
TINT Apeldoorn
Challenge: "Designing and investigating a multi-stakeholder tinkering toolkit that can be used by TINT Apeldoorn"
Creative Intelligence | Cohort 2024/2025 | Stakeholder: TINT Apeldoorn
Nov 2024
Feb 2024
BACE (THE ARC)
Challenge: "How can the BACE hub become a valuable contributor to the urban ecosystem of Enschede?"
Leading Systemic Change | Cohort 2023/2024 | Stakeholder: BACE (THE ARC)
Feb 2024
Feb 2024
Systems of Care
Challenge: "Co-define and co-frame the current challenges related to social justice in the systems of care"
Responsible Futuring | Cohort 2023/2024 | Stakeholder: Sensire
Feb 2024
2023
Nov 2023
DesignLab
Challenge: "Designing and investigating a multi-stakeholder tinkering toolkit that can be used in DesignLab"
Creative Intelligence | Cohort 2023/2024 | Stakeholder: DesignLab
Nov 2023
Feb 2023
The Green Box
Challenge: "Which new value areas arise when you set up The Green Box as an energy hub and how can that value be unlocked?"
Leading Systemic Change | Cohort 2022/2023 | Stakeholder: The Green Box
Feb 2023
2022
Nov 2022
Social Justice in Healthcare
Challenge: "Co-define and co-frame the current challenges related to social justice in the systems of care"
Responsible Futuring | Cohort 2022/2023
Nov 2022
Nov 2022
Twente Canals
Challenge:"Design a collaborative activity that brings different stakeholders to the ‘same’ table to explore related challenges surrounding the Twente Canals"
Creative Intelligence | Cohort 2022/2023 | Stakeholder: Port of Twente
Nov 2022
Feb 2022
Green Hub Twente
Challenge: "Analyse Green Hub Twente's change approach and provide advise on how to improve it"
Leading Systemic Change | Cohort 2021/2022 | Stakeholder: Green Hub Twente
Feb 2022
2021
Nov 2021
The Cycling City of the Future
Challenge: "How to develop the cycling city of the future?"
Responsible Futuring | Cohort 2021/2022 | Stakeholder: Municipality of Enschede
Nov 2021
Nov 2021
‘Schone Lei’
Challenge: "How to transform primary education for children through positive wellbeing principles?"
Creative Intelligence | Cohort 2021/2022 | Stakeholder: Met Andere Ogen
Nov 2021
Feb 2021
Inclusive Welfare in Enschede
Challenge: "Improve the general health and wellbeing of Enschede by exploring the concept of Inclusive Welfare"
Futurism | Cohort 2020/2021 | Stakeholder: Municipality of Enschede
Feb 2021
Feb 2021
Mopeds in Enschede
Challenge: "Help the municipality of Enschede with designing new policies concerning mopeds"
Systems Thinking | Cohort 2020/2021 | Stakeholder: Municipality of Enschede
Feb 2021
2020
Nov 2020
Greening Cultural Heritage
Challenge: "How do we preserve cultural heritage while meeting sustainability goals?"
Societal Leadership | Cohort 2020/2021 | Stakeholders: Monumentenwacht & Monumentenadvies Oost
Nov 2020
Nov 2020
De Veluwe
Challenge: "Design a collaborative activity that brings different stakeholders to the ‘same’ table to explore related challenges surrounding the Veluwe area"
Transdisciplinary Working & Creative Intelligence | Cohort 2020/2021
Nov 2020
Get ready for a transdisciplinary future!\ Learn to shape responsible futures for others with others.