Transdisciplinarity – including art × science approaches – has become a central concept in contemporary research, innovation, and artistic practice. But what does transdisciplinarity actually mean historically, institutionally, and methodologically? And how does it shape concrete artistic research projects today?

This course explores transdisciplinarity both as a historical development and as a practical research methodology. It traces the emergence of disciplinary systems from medieval universities and academies through 20th-century art laboratories, and connects these genealogies to contemporary artistic research environments and funding structures.

Through lectures, historical case studies, and in-depth analysis of real artistic research projects (including Data Loam and radical⇌matter), participants will gain insight into how transdisciplinary artistic research is conceptualised, funded, executed, and disseminated. The course is co-taught by Martin Reinhart (institutional, historical, and project-based genealogies) and Martina Mara (contemporary methods, applied collaboration, and research practice).

Attendance and active participation: 20% Group presentation (Future Laboratory): 30% Case study presentation: 20% Written reflection/report: 30% Grades are given jointly by both instructors.

Instructors: Univ.-Prof.in Dr.in Martina Mara (Johannes Kepler University Linz) Dr. Martin Reinhart (University of Applied Arts Vienna) Semester: Winter Semester 2025 Credits: 3 ECTS (1.5 ECTS Angewandte + 1.5 ECTS JKU) Language: English Format: In-person sessions in Vienna and Linz, plus online kick-off