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The first session commenced with a guest lecture by Associate Professor Datu Buyung Agusdinata, Ph.D., of the School of Sustainability, Arizona State University (ASU). The session was moderated by Dr. Ir. Mariana Marselina, S.T., M.T., a lecturer from ITB's Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering (FTSL). Dr. Agusdinata elaborated on interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research.

He stated that organizational restructuring is necessary to facilitate interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research. As an example, he cited the structure of the School of Life Sciences at Arizona State University, which is currently divided into several fields that enable interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary collaboration with other fields such as engineering, social sciences, and philosophy. "After creating the structure, we allow them to self-organize, and eventually, they will collaborate," he explained.

The second session continued with a workshop attended by five groups, each focusing on a different theme: food waste, the water-energy-food nexus, climate change adaptation, flood risk management, and water pollution..

The workshop had several key objectives: 1) to identify major sustainability and sustainable development challenges pertinent to West Java, Indonesia, ASEAN, and global contexts; 2) to explore the potential contributions of diverse disciplines and external stakeholders; 3) to foster collaborative planning among academics, policymakers, the private sector, and non-governmental organizations; 4) and ultimately, to generate a joint research agenda and a comprehensive roadmap for future interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research.

During this session, participants were tasked with discussing and resolving assigned problems using interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary approaches. Several group representatives presented their discussion outcomes, emphasizing that interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research is essential for addressing sustainability issues holistically and comprehensively. Furthermore, they highlighted the need for support from external parties, including government, the private sector, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).).

At the end of the session, Datu Buyung concluded that social and anthropological disciplines are essential, and the implications of research findings should be adopted by policymakers. He remarked, "Our ability to advocate is now easier to attract attention if there is an issue to trigger policymakers."

Reporter: Ahmad Fauzi (Forestry Engineering, 2021)
Translator: Atika Widya Nurfaizah (Postharvest Technology, 2021)