Josephine Musango and John Van Breda from the TsamasHub attended the Conference on Transdisciplinary Research and Modelling, 10-11 April, 2013. This was the first conference of this type organised by the Ludwig-Maximillian Universitat Munich. The conference brought together about 70 researchers and academics to discuss the potential of transdisciplinary research and modeling in fostering production and exchange of knowledge between science and society. Specific discussions were on theoretical considerations, methods, knowledge integration, policy and implementation support of transdisciplinary research and modeling.
The commonalities, differences and linkages between the method and modeling tools in the context of transition processes were discussed during specific sessions. As an emerging field of research, one of the key discussions was how transdisciplinary research can continue to contribute to mutual learning about and transitioning towards sustainability. An annual conference of this nature was considered as one way of fostering such lessons. With respect to the transdisciplinary research undertaken by TsamaHub in Stellenbosch University, the conference provided an understanding of different case studies and transdisciplinary praxis in the West, as well as a networking platform where the transdisciplinary research community could also learn about the transdisciplinary research carried out in the TsamaHub.