The joy of interdisciplinary collaboration! Yes, there are barriers and challenges, but in setting up the Centre for Unusual Collaborations (CUCo) the main surprising outcomes were joy, a sense of meaning and creativity. We coined this ‘collateral happiness’.
With due pride we share: new paper out now! Recounting the journey of the first two years of the Centre for Unusual Collaborations; its origins, lessons learned and recommendations for universities and funders to better support unusual collaborations.
The paper elaborates on three roadblocks to funding inter- and transdisciplinary research, as well as how these were overcome – or not! The three roadblocks are:
1) Rewards and recognition – and this remains a major hurdle to this day!
2) Funding trust-building and interdisciplinary collaboration
3) Competencies, tools and approaches
Congratulations to all the authors! And great thanks to Springer Nature Group Humanities and Social Sciences Communications for the smooth reviewing and editorial process.
View the publication here
Author Archives: Christianne
Video series | Han Wiskerke: Leading RSO with passion and insight into the complexities of agriculture and rural development.
Han Wiskerke, Professor and Chair of the Rural Sociology Group, shares his passion for understanding the dynamics of agriculture, rural development, and food provisioning. Discover how his leadership and research are making a difference in addressing contemporary challenges like farmer protests.
“As Chair of the Rural Sociology Group since 2004, I’ve witnessed the critical importance of understanding the dynamics of agriculture, rural development, and food provisioning. Our research not only sheds light on issues like farmer protests but also offers solutions for the future. Leading a team of passionate individuals who thrive collectively is what drives me every day.”
Watch more “Rural Sociology: Passionate@Work” videos here.
Video series | Georgia Diamanti: Contributing to inclusive agricultural policies through collaborative research.
Georgia Diamanti, PhD candidate at the Rural Sociology Group, shares her experience working on the SWIFT project, focusing on the impact of European agricultural policies on women farmers and the importance of collaborative, bottom-up approaches.
“As a PhD candidate at the Rural Sociology Group, I’m proud to be part of the SWIFT project, working with diverse stakeholders to create more inclusive agricultural policies in Europe. This collaborative approach inspires me, knowing that even small contributions can be part of a larger transformation.”
Find out more about the SWIFT project here.
Shaping Sustainable Futures: Insights from the 15th IFSA Conference
Mark your calendars for a wonderful event set to take place from 30th June to 4th July 2024 in Trapani, Sicily, Italy – the 15th International Farming Systems Association (IFSA) conference. This conference promises to be a gathering of minds dedicated to exploring systemic change for sustainable futures, with a focus on crucial topics such as postgrowth farming systems.
Continue readingAre Forests Still Relevant for the Nutrition Security of Traditional Forest Dwellers? Insights from One Year of Fieldwork in Kalahandi, Odisha
By Amrutha Jose Pampackal – Forests have garnered a lot of attention in international policy discussions in recent years because of their role in addressing the rising challenges of biodiversity loss and climate change. Less discussed is the importance of forests for the sustainability of many local food systems. Across the globe, billions of people live in proximity to forests and are directly or indirectly dependent on them for their food security. While some view traditional forest dwellers as protectors, others view local people’s dependence on forests as a threat to forests’ health. As part of my PhD research, I study how the nutritional security of forest-proximate communities can be strengthened without increasing the socioeconomic and ecological pressures on forests.
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Rural Sociology Wageningen University 