Sorka Tzschabran

online

Between Roles and Perspectives: A Positioning Training for Participatory and Transdisciplinary Research (Webinar)

+++ This webinar will be held in English. / Dieses Webinar findet auf Englisch statt. +++

Summary:
In transdisciplinary research teams, members navigate not only between different perspectives and expertise but also bring together diverse value & belief systems, personal attitudes, and experiences. These factors influence key decisions within the research project – such as how actors are involved and related to, how research topics, methods, and results are approached, and how outcomes are contextualized. In light of the aspiration for fair and transparent collaborations, reflecting on one’s own positionality becomes a central quality criterion for responsible participatory research.

Positionality is furthermore shaped by our privileges, values, and multiple, intersectional social identities – such as political standpoint, age, social class, religiosity, gender, sexuality, historical and geographical context, personal life trajectory, experiences of racism, ethnicity, nationality, status, disability, and more.

Despite certain constant factors of one’s positionality, the influence of the self in research unfolds in relational and context-dependent ways. Hence, engaging in critical positioning is after all a dynamic process. In this webinar, participants will practice critically reflecting on their positionality – individually and in group exercises – within the context of their own current participatory or transdisciplinary research.

About the trainer:
Sorka Tzschabran (she/her) holds a professional expertise in facilitating transdisciplinary and participatory research journeys. She supports collaborative teams in weaving together academic knowledge and real-world practice to spark meaningful change. With her academic background in political science, human geography, and sustainability science, Sorka works across diverse sustainability topics. A consistent thread throughout her practice is the use of transformative, co-creative, and arts-based methods—such as theatre—to explore inner transformation, embodied knowledge, and collective visioning. Her approach aims to cultivate a strong sense of agency within individuals and groups.

General information:
The webinar is designed for transdisciplinary research intermediates but also beginners. Members of all status groups from the Berlin University Alliance partners are invited. Guests from other institutions are welcome.