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Athena Tools for Multi-actor Engagement and Transdisciplinary Research and Education

The Athena Institute develops practical resources to support researchers, practitioners, and students in conducting participatory, interdisciplinary, and transformative research. These tools help translate theory into practice, strengthen collaboration, and support reflection across diverse contexts.

Domains of Application
Our tools aim to support transdisciplinary, participatory, and reflexive research and innovation towards addressing complex societal challenges. The domains below reflect key areas in which Athena’s tools are most frequently applied, while acknowledging that many tools are relevant across domains and research traditions.

Food systems transformations
These tools are most applied in research aimed at transforming food systems towards sustainability, equity, and resilience. The tools in this domain help address complex, multi-actor challenges by supporting systemic analysis, stakeholder engagement, and action-oriented research in food systems and sustainability transitions.

Learning, Teaching and Reflection
This domain focuses on tools that support learning processes, reflexivity, and collaboration in both research and education. These tools are particularly useful in interdisciplinary and participatory settings, where reflection on roles, assumptions, perspectives, and team dynamics is essential for effective collaboration and knowledge production.

Global Health
Tools of this domain support participatory, patient-centered, and community-engaged research in health contexts. The tools encourage meaningful collaborations between researchers, practitioners,patients, communities, and other societal actors to improve the relevance, inclusiveness, and impact of health research and innovation.

In addition to these tools, the Athena Institute has also developed several methodologies for transdisciplinary research and action, see methodologies.

Athena's Methodologies

We also develop methodologies for multi-actor engagement

See here

Food Systems Transformations

  • Wheel of Action, Interaction and Reflection (WAIR)

    What is it used for?Guiding participatory and action-oriented research by structuring processes of action, interaction with stakeholders, and continuous reflection.
    Who can use it?Researchers and policymakers working in sustainability, food systems, and participatory research.
    Why is it useful?It can aid actors anticipate and integrate societal implications of their projects by analyzing complex interactions and facilitating learning by doing.

    For more information on this tool: Wheel of action, interaction and reflection

  • Food System Transformation Toolbox

    What is it used for?Supporting research and practice focused on sustainability transitions and transformation processes in food systems.
    Who can use it?Researchers, practitioners, policymakers, students, and societal actors working on food systems and sustainability
    Why is it useful?It supports systemic thinking and collaboration in complex food system challenges by offering structured methods and guiding questions.

    For more information on this tool: Food system transformation toolbox

Learning, Teaching and Reflection

  • Tool for Reflection on Interdisciplinary Teamwork
    What is it used for?Reflecting on collaboration, roles, communication, and dynamics within interdisciplinary teams.
    Who can use it?Transdisciplinary research teams, educators, students, project leaders, and facilitators
    Why is it useful?It helps teams make implicit assumptions and challenges explicit, improving collaboration and learning in transdisciplinary research.

    For more information on this tool: Tool for reflection on interdisciplinary teamwork

  • Frame Reflection Lab Tool

    What is it used for?Facilitating reflection on frames, assumptions, and perspectives in complex research and societal issues.
    Who can use it?Researchers, educators, students, facilitators, and practitioners in interdisciplinary or participatory settings
    Why is it useful?It supports reflexivity and dialogue by helping participants understand and question different ways of framing problems and solutions.

    For more information on this tool: Frame reflection lab tool

Global Health

  • Patient Engagement Toolbox

    What is it used for?Designing and implementing meaningful patient engagement throughout the health research process.
    Who can use it?Health researchers, clinicians, patient organisations, policymakers, and students in health-related fields.
    Why is it useful?It supports inclusive and responsible research by strengthening patient involvement and improving the relevance and quality of health research.

    For more information on this tool: Patient engagement toolbox

  • Toolbox for Participatory Research
    What is it used for?Conducting participatory research in collaboration with diverse communities and societal actors.
    Who can use it?Researchers, practitioners, community organisations, facilitators, and students, particularly in global health and community-based research.
    Why is it useful?It provides practical guidance for ethical, inclusive, and reflexive participatory research across diverse contexts.

    For more information on this tool (Dutch): Tool for participatory research

  • Digital Patient Knowledge (DiPaK)
    What is it used for?Analyzing naturally occurring online conversations (e.g., social media, forums, and other digital platforms) to understand how patients and the public discuss health, science, and societal challenges. It uses AI techniques such as natural language processing and topic modeling to identify themes, emotions, and experiences in large volumes of text.
    Who can use it?Researchers, policymakers, healthcare professionals, and organizations involved in guideline development, public health research, or science communication who want to better understand patient experiences and public discourse.
    Why is it useful?It allows for large-scale analysis of experiential knowledge. By combining quantitative AI analysis with qualitative interpretation, it helps integrate patient perspectives into research, policy, and clinical guideline development.

    For more information on this tool: Digital Patient Knowledge (DiPaK)
    For an example of DiPaK in action see: Evidence in Action

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