A 2-step initiative for cross-disciplinary research

1. PRBB Punk Lab
#Cultivate #Prototype
A 2-step initiative for cross-disciplinary research

2. "It is not what we think that decides our reality. It is
rather our reality that decides what we are capable of
thinking."
adapted from Karl Marx

3. The problem
Collaboration across knowledge
domains is recognized as a source of
competitive advantage.
Nevertheless a gap exists in our
knowledge of how such collabo-rations
are accomplished and the
kinds of emergent organizational
forms in which it occurs.
Experts suggest that collaborative
communities are enabled by the
development of shared (interdisci-plinary)
practices among participants.

4. Our goals:
To generate cross-disciplinary
experiences
To prototype next-generation
research tools
To help young scientists to set up
networks outside of their
discipline
To iniciate a knowledge boost

5. Why PRBB?
There is a critical mass of
outstanding researchers at the
park
The open space model continously
exposes them to inter-disciplinary
work processes
Large gap between bench work
and highly sophisticated
equipment
Constant need for new approaches
in life science research

6. Why Punk?
No-rules! Punk challenges the
status-quo with a rebellious
attitude
All results will be open source
(creative commons licenses)
Following the do it yourself
(DIY) ideal

7. Why Lab?
Participants will develop cross-disciplinary
activities outside the
park in designated PRBB Punk Lab
spaces.
The cultivation process will take
place in a rural hotel outside of BCN
Laboratories of partner organizations
(Hangar, BCNFabLab) will be used
for prototyping

8. Activities
Step 1: #Cultivate
Step 2: #Prototype

9. CULTIVATE
 Three day encounters in a rural hotel near Barcelona
 15-20 people, plus senior scientists and coaches/moderators
 A general theme will be given: models, perception, systems, etc.
 Contents: short presentations, lectures, roleplay, group work
 Participants will be selected after an open call

10. PROTOTYPE
 Prototyping workshops in partner labs outside PRBB with
technical assistance during 2-3 days
 Practical play and design of technological solutions for the ideas
initiated during the cultivation process (3-5 working groups)
 Available tools: hardware (Arduino), electronics, 3D printing, laser
cutters, etc.
 Teams will be selected after an open call

11. Activities & costs
Concept Activity Costs/year
Project manager Organisation 20,000 € (50%)
3 Cultivating
encounters
Catering, accommodation,
moderator/coach 13,500 €
3 Prototype
workshops
Fee for labs and
technicians, catering 14,500 €
Promotion
Video editing, materials,
web support 2,000 €
Total 50,000 €

12. Next steps
steps
Run a prototype Punk Lab with
researchers from UPF
(Biomedicine, Humanities,
Communication/IT)
Add academic partners to the
project from non-biomedical
faculties
Find industrial sponsors
Offer the Punk Lab platform to
other universities and private
companies.

13. References:
Toward a science of transdisciplinary action research, D. Stokols, 2006 [PDF]
Preparing for an interdisciplinary future: A perspective from early-career
researchers, H. Bridle et.al., 2013 [Link]
Transdisciplinary research: characteristics, quandaries and quality, F. Wickson
et.al., 2006 [Link]
Transdisciplinary research in sustainability science: practice, principles, and
challenges, D. Lang, 2011 [PDF]
Prospects for transdisciplinarity, J. Klein, 2004 [Link]
Sinergies Protocol for interdisciplinary research, Hangar.org, 2013 (R. Fickert
participated), [PDF] [Link]
WIRKT (Workshop on interdisciplinary research and knowledge transfer),
Documents, 2014 (R. Fickert participated) [Link]

14. #contact
Reimund Fickert, PhD
rfickert@prbb.org
@the_prbb