♾️LIMITLESS♾️ Day 1

If there’s one thing that we at the Open University excel at, it’s combining our strengths to conduct multidisciplinary actionable research to address real-world problems. This is great as funding opportunities for such projects steadily increase. Still, these projects remain challenging: working with multiple disciplines is fun and fruitful but requires unique competences.

On Tuesday, January the 21st 2025, we organize the first LIMITLESS day. LIMITLESS is a grassroots OU network that unites all inter-, multi-, and transdisciplinary projects and initiatives aiming to address societal issues. On this day, we will provide upskilling sessions allowing you to hone your skills to engage in these fun and challenging projects. In addition, the many multidisciplinary projects will present themselves, allowing you to link with colleagues from other faculties (or from your own) interested in similar topics or approaches. Together, these upskilling and networking opportunities will position you perfectly to work together with colleagues coming from different disciplines and develop strong grant proposals when interesting calls are published.

The first LIMITLESS day can be attended by all Open University staff members and is free of charge! You can register at https://ls.ou.nl/limitless. The deadline to register is the day of the New Years Toast: registration closes at 23:59 CET on Thursday the 9th of January 2025.

Program

The program for this first LIMITLESS day is as follows:

  • 11:00 - 12:00 | Pretoria 3/4, plenary session
    • Opening | Prof. dr. Theo Bastiaens
    • A LIMITLESS Smörgåsbord | An overview of the multidisciplinary innovative projects at the Open University
  • 12:00 - 13:00 | Pretoria 1-4, multidisciplinary deep dives
    • A Showcase of Multidisciplinarity | Innovating for Resilience and ELSA-Lab Poverty & Debt
    • Facts - just another opinion? | Sectorplans SSH, the SCHUNCK Program, and EnergAIse
    • Projects of Regional Impact | Preventie met Gezag, Rechtswinkel, and VERLICHT
  • 13:00 - 14:00 | Lunch, Pretoria
    • 🥪🍞🥐🥖☕🍵
  • 14:00 - 16:00 | Pretoria 1-4, upskilling sessions
    • Bridging Boundaries: Experiences with Interdisciplinarity | facilitated by Innovating for Resilience
    • Citizen science and active collaboration with co-researchers | facilitated by the Citizen Science Hub
    • Value Sensitive Design | facilitated by the Trustworthy AI Lab
  • 16:00

Multidisciplinary Deep Dives (morning Sessions)

A Showcase of Multidisciplinarity | Innovating for Resilience and ELSA-Lab Poverty & Debt | Morning

In this inspiring session, we provide an overview of groundbreaking initiatives contributing to a resilient society, highlighting efforts within the Innovating for Resilience research program and the ELSA-Lab on Poverty and Debt. Various projects will be presented, with a strong focus on interdisciplinary collaboration. Discover how innovation and shared knowledge within these frameworks can lead to solutions that create real impact!

Facts - just another opinion? | Sectorplans SSH, the SCHUNCK Program, and EnergAIse | Morning

Are facts undeniable, or do they shift under the lens of interpretation? Different disciplines – and even fields within disciplines – interpret scientific findings and concepts in unique ways, raising the question: are facts truly objective, or are they shaped by interpretation and perspective? In this workshop we will delve into the gray areas between data and meaning and how we as scientists should deal with that – with our peers and within society. Facilitated by Sectorplans, SCHUNCK, and EnergAIse.

Projects of Regional Impact | Preventie met Gezag, Rechtswinkel, and VERLICHT | Morning

This session brings together three projects that apply academic expertise to address real-world challenges in the region around Heerlen. VERLICHT focuses on elucidating mechanisms for effective interventions in Heerlen-Noord, Rechtswinkel provides free legal advice to individuals in need, and Preventie met Gezag explores effective strategies for crime prevention and community safety. Join us to discover how these projects bridge the gap between research and societal change, fostering regional development and collaboration.

Upskilling Sessions (afternoon Sessions)

Bridging Boundaries: Experiences with Interdisciplinarity | Innovating for Resilience | Afternoon

In this interactive panel session, we explore the power and complexity of interdisciplinary research. Together with a diverse group of speakers, we unpack the unique value interdisciplinarity brings to addressing complex societal challenges. We will examine the opportunities created by collaboration across disciplinary boundaries, as well as the challenges that come with it. Through open discussion and the exchange of experiences, you’ll gain insights into how different disciplines can strengthen each other, leading to innovative ideas and sustainable solutions. Join us and share your perspective in this dynamic session!

Citizen science and active collaboration with co-researchers | Citizen Science Hub | Afternoon

Citizen science includes a variety of research methods and can take many different forms of collaboration between professional researchers and co-researchers. How do we know what citizen science is and how to apply it? During this workshop as part of the LIMITLESS Day, Karin will introduce you in the topic of citizen science. During the workshop and afterwards you can set up and use considerations about methodologies and collaboration to start your own citizen science research.

Value Sensitive Design | Trustworthy AI Lab | Afternoon

Value Sensitive Design is an approach to designing technology applications that centers humans. In a society where technology is often seen as a solution to complicated problems, Value Sensitive Design can be invaluable in preventing misalignment of applications of technology with the values in a society or a community. Value Sensitive Design is useful in non-technological settings, too: its procedures provide concrete guidelines to help realize the principle of “nothing about us, without us”. In this workshop, you will get to know this method in the context of AI applications.