Connecting science and society

Athena Institute

The Athena Institute is dedicated to making research and innovation more responsive to societal needs. To achieve this, we take a transdisciplinary approach, defined by multi-actor engagement. We bring together researchers, policymakers, practitioners and citizens to collaboratively address persistent, multi-faceted societal problems.

To make research and innovation more responsive to societal needs, we must move beyond the confines of the academic world, and bridge the gaps between science, policy, practice and society. Therefore, we take a transdisciplinary approach, defined by multi-actor engagement. By taking on the challenge of including diverse perspectives, and integrating different knowledges, we contribute to addressing complex problems, such as climate change, health inequalities and social injustice.

Education programmes

Our education offerings are based at the interfaces of life sciences and social sciences, and of theory and practice

In this video series, Athena researchers share how they address complex problems based on societal needs. They explain why collaborating with the people who are directly affected by these problems is essential, and how they make extra efforts to include groups that are often overlooked, such as marginalised communities. Ultimately, they demonstrate that experiential knowledge is crucial in co-creating fair, doable, and sustainable solutions.

Watch the full video series

Methodologies

Athena is a leader in developing methodologies for multi-actor engagement and knowledge integration. Our most notable methodologies can be divided into three categories:

Public Engagement & Dialogue
Joint Learning in Action
Inclusive Knowledge & Technology Production

Coming soon

Research domains

The types of challenges we address are determined by their societal relevance and urgency. Our current work spans four interconnected research domains:

Athena's methodologies are participatory and co-creative in nature, and share common premises, like reflexivity, inclusivity and joint learning.

We always tailor our methods to the context of the challenges we address, including the spectrum of actors involved, and the goals we set out to achieve. We continue to evolve our methods iteratively throughout the process, ensuring adaptability and ongoing learning.

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