On 8 and 9 February the transdisciplinary hackathon ‘Designing Circular Pathways for Change’ took place, an initiative of the EWUU alliance in collaboration with TNO. During this hackathon, students and professionals worked together on innovative solutions for a circular construction industry.

Collaboration between students and professionals

Students and professionals from various institutions came together to put transdisciplinary collaboration into practice. Participants included students from Utrecht University, Wageningen University & Research, Eindhoven University of Technology, Delft University of Technology, and Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences. Additionally, PhD candidates from various institutions and professionals from the business sector joined the challenge. The combination of different academic backgrounds and expertise created a dynamic and productive collaboration. Within EWUU the hackathon was organized by the EWUU Centre for Unusual Collaborations, EWUU Education programme and the EWUU institute 4 a Circular Society.

“It was truly inspiring to work with people from different disciplines and backgrounds. I gained new insights into teamwork, problem-solving, and how to think outside the box when tackling complex challenges.” (student)

Purpose and theme of the hackathon

The hackathon focuses on an urgent societal issue: the circular transition in the construction sector. Participants worked on a case from the UPSCALE project, analyzing systemic challenges and developing innovative solutions. The goal was to identify four concrete directions for change while fostering transdisciplinary collaboration. By integrating knowledge and cooperation across disciplines, new insights emerged that can be directly applied in practice.

Impact and follow-up

The impact of the hackathon extends beyond the event itself. The developed ideas will be further elaborated within the UPSCALE project, with participants playing an active role in advancing their concepts. Additionally, students have gained valuable transdisciplinary skills that will benefit them in their future careers. They learned how to collaborate effectively in multidisciplinary teams and how to apply academic knowledge in practical settings.

“Working with people from different disciplines and cultures was particularly inspiring and helped me to better understand how collaboration and group dynamics influence project outcomes” (student)

The involved companies and research institutions also recognized the value of the hackathon. A representative from TNO emphasized: “This hackathon demonstrated the power of collaboration between students and professionals. By bringing together different perspectives, we were able to explore fresh, innovative approaches to circularity in the construction industry.”  

The exchange of methods and ideas provided a valuable learning experience for all involved. According to Dimitra Mousa, EWUU project leader, this hackathon perfectly aligns with EWUU’s broader vision, where transdisciplinary collaboration plays a key role in addressing complex societal challenges.

A step towards a circular construction sector

The construction sector, responsible for 35% of all waste, requires systemic changes to become circular. With an investment of €1.3 million from NWO, the UPSCALE project plays an important role in this transition. The hackathon demonstrated how science and practice can reinforce each other and how collaboration leads to groundbreaking insights towards creating a more sustainable construction sector.