Strategies for synergies. Working in interdisciplinary teams

Abstract

This paper presents the approach and results of our workshop “Strategies for Synergies” hold at the 12th EAD Conference. The main aim was to develop innovative ideas to establish interdisciplinary working in the education of designers and researchers. In this context, we wanted to elaborate which competences are necessary to work in interdisciplinary teams and how these competences could be integrated in design and research curricula. Our results show, that empathy, emotional intelligence, and communication skills, are identified as key capabilities for the success of interdisciplinary work. Educational formats, fostering those competences, are focused on practice-oriented experiential learning, to prepare students with first hand experiences.