233071 KU Integrating Perspectives: Project Lab for Multidisciplinary Thinking (2026S)

This course is where ideas meet reality. Students will step beyond the classroom and work on complex, real-world challenges that demand creativity, collaboration and critical thinking. These challenges are not confined to one discipline - they span environmental, social, economic and cultural dimensions, requiring integrated approaches and innovative solutions.
This course offers an immersive experience: students form multidisciplinary teams, learn how to ask the right questions, and design research plans that combine diverse perspectives. It’s a dynamic process of exploration and co-creation, where theory becomes practice and collaboration becomes the key to progress.
Through interactive workshops, peer feedback sessions and open workspaces, students will experience the excitement and complexity of working across disciplinary boundaries. The course culminates in presenting their ideas and reflecting on what it means to tackle issues in a truly integrated way.

LEARNING AIMS
* to acquire practical experience in formulating research questions that integrate multiple disciplinary perspectives;
* to be able to work collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams;
* to design an interdisciplinary research plan that combines diverse methods and insights;
* to gather first practical experience in applying collaborative research and synthesis;
* to communicate research outcomes effectively to academic and non-academic stakeholders;
* to understand why negotiation, reflection and synthesis are central to interdisciplinary practice.

HOW TO REGISTER?
The KU requires you to submit a short motivational statement in audio format and to register on u:find simultaneously. Students will then be selected by the teaching team to participate in the KU, with the aim of creating a balanced cohort across the participating programmes.

1) Prepare your application. Audio recording, max. 4 minutes in English. Acceptable audio formats: MP3, M4A or WAV. Address the following questions:
* Why you’re interested in the module
*What your experiences are working in multidisciplinary teams
*What you expect from multidisciplinary collaboration
*How the module supports your personal development

2) Rename the audio file to include only your matriculation number, then upload it here between 2 and 22 February: https://ucloud.univie.ac.at/index.php/s/qJHLxkw3Q968fiH
(All records will be irretrievably deleted immediately after the selection decision!)

3) Register for the KU on u:find during the same timeframe - but DON'T register for the VU in this case.

4) Selection and notification:
* The teaching team selects a balanced cohort across participating Master programmes.
* You will receive confirmation or a rejection until 24 February.

PLEASE NOTE:
If you register for both the VU and the KU and are accepted onto the KU, your VU registration will be cancelled, as the VU content and units are included in the KU programme. However, if you are not accepted into the KU, you can still participate in the VU.

MORE INFORMATION
Further information on the VU and the ‘Integrating Perspectives' module can be found here:
https://ech.univie.ac.at/integrating-perspectives