Course
Reflexive Monitoring in Action for System Transformation: Advanced methodology course for inter- and transdisciplinary researchers - 3 ECTS
Registration
Content
Inter- and transdisciplinary research projects seeking to address societal challenges emerge everywhere – in regional sustainability networks, high-tech innovation projects, living labs, large transdisciplinary programmes, to name but a few examples. These projects often demand simultaneous changes at multiple levels of society – economic, political, scientific, etc. – and choices to be made that are radically different from usual practices. In other words, they require system transformation. For realizing system transformation, it is crucial to engage in continuous monitoring of the dynamically evolving project goals, daily practices and their institutional embedding, as well as developments within the wider system. Such monitoring is reflexive: supporting project members to reflect on and learn to engage in a process of system change, for instance by holding up a mirror to inter- and transdisciplinary collaborators’ own activities. Reflexive monitoring feeds into action: regular interventions facilitate learning among inter- and transdisciplinary collaborators, which can result in adaptations of their activities. In this high-level methodology course, PhD students learn how to apply Reflexive Monitoring in Action for system transformation, if possible in their own research projects. By gaining experience in this participatory action and evaluation research methodology, they become able to study and support a change process during their inter- and transdisciplinary research while adopting a systemic perspective on setbacks and achievements.
More information on Reflexive Monitoring Action can be found here.
Learning outcomes
After successful completion participants are expected to be able to:
- Design a plan for integrating the Reflexive Monitoring in Action methodology in an inter- or transdisciplinary research project
- Facilitate an interactive group process guided by a Reflexive Monitoring in Action tool
- Reflect on the process and outcomes of applying and tailoring Reflexive Monitoring in Action to concrete situations in an inter- and/or transdisciplinary research project
Activities
The course will consist in 4 days of in-class activities. Course activities include two days of interactive lectures, workshops, guided exchange among participants, and a panel discussion; one day for an interactive lecture, peer consulting, feedback on the mid-term assignment, and a workshop; and a final day for participants to present and discuss their final assignment and reflect on how to continue using Reflexive Monitoring in Action in future research. The course activities will be spread over a period of three months to give students enough time to gain practical experience in Reflexive Monitoring in Action.
Schedule
| Day 1 | October 15, 2025 |
| Day 2 | October 16, 2025 |
| Day 3 | December 9, 2025 |
| Day 4 | February 3, 2026 |
Programme
| 9.00-9.30 | Introduction to the course and ice-breaker activity to get to know each other |
| 9.30-11.00 | Interactive lecture “Introducing Reflexive Monitoring in Action for System Transformation” |
| 11.00-11.30 | Coffee break |
| 11.30-13.00 | Interactive lecture “Reflexive Monitoring in Action in Practice I" |
| 13.00-14.00 | Lunch |
| 14.00-16.00 | Workshop “Moving between appreciative inquiry and critical analysis” |
| 16.00-16.30 | Coffee break |
| 16.30-18.00 | Interactive lecture “Reflexive Monitoring in Action in Practice II" |
| 19.00-21.00 | Dinner in Wageningen downtown |
| 9.00-11.00 | Workshop “Pick your tool” in which students can learn more about two specific Reflexive Monitoring in Action tools in parallel sessions |
| 11.00-11.30 | Coffee break |
| 11.30-12.00 | Introduction to the mid-term assignment |
| 12.00-13.30 | Introduction of projects from the Science Shop (as case studies for the mid-term assignment) and guided brainstorm for students to prepare the mid-term assignment |
| 13.30-14.30 | Lunch |
| 14.30-16.00 | Interactive lecture “Reflexive Monitoring in Action in Practice III” |
| 16.00-16.30 | Coffee break |
| 16.30-18.00 | Panel discussion “Reflexive Monitoring in Action in Context” |
| 18.00-19.00 | Reception with finger food |
| 9.00-9.30 | Opening of the day |
| 9.30-11.00 | Interactive lecture “Deepening Reflexive Monitoring in Action for System Transformation” |
| 11.00-11.30 | Coffee break |
| 11.30-13.00 | Peer consulting in small groups on the reflection and question related to the mid-term assignment |
| 13.00-14.00 | Lunch |
| 14.00-16.30 | Workshop “Practice your tool” in which participants rehearse using a Reflexive Monitoring in Action tool of their choice in small groups (coffee break included) |
| 16.30-17.00 | Closing of the day |
| 9.00-9.30 | Opening of the final day of the course |
| 9.30-12.00 | Watching and reflecting on student videos (final assignment) in parallel sessions |
| 12.00-13.00 | Lunch |
| 13.00-14.30 | Interactive lecture “Reflexive Monitoring in Action as long-term engagement” and update of student pitches |
| 14.30-15.00 | Coffee break |
| 15.00-16.30 | Student pitches and discussion on “how to continue using Reflexive Monitoring in Action” in parallel sessions |
| 16.30-17.00 | Conclusion of the course |
Assumed prior knowledge
- Under/graduate training in the social sciences is recommended but not required.
- Ideally, students have participated in Transformative and Participatory Qualitative Research Approaches and Methods, Foundations of Inter- and Transdisciplinary Research, or another introductory course to inter- and transdisciplinary research.
The minimum/maximum number of participants: 10-20.
Make sure to register early to secure a spot in this course. Once the maximum number of participants is reached, you will be added to a waiting list.
Assessment
- The mid-term assignment (pass/fail) will be a written essay in which students propose several designs for incorporating Reflexive Monitoring in Action methodology in their PhD research or a Science Shop project. Students will receive feedback on this assignment by the course coordinators.
- The final assignment (pass/fail) will be a video in which students share their experience with and reflections on the application of a Reflexive Monitoring in Action tool either with colleagues / fellow course participants (for early-stage PhD candidates) or in their ongoing PhD research (for advanced PhD candidates).
- Active participation (pass/fail) in all in-person sessions is mandatory to pass this course.
Course fee
| WGS PhD with approved TSP | 300 euro |
| Other PhDs, postdocs and academic staff | 640 euro |