Reflections from Boundary Crossing Ambassadors Meeting

On March 5, 2024, the BC team hosted its first Boundary Crossing (BC) Ambassadors meeting of the year, setting the stage for a dynamic exchange of ideas and strategies in the implementation and development of boundary crossing at Wageningen University and beyond. This event, organized by the BC core team, brings together individuals passionate about boundary crossing to share insights, discuss initiatives, and inspire one another.

The meeting began with a sharing on the BC Core Team’s Goals for 2024. This year, the focus shifts from merely spreading awareness about boundary crossing to fostering a deeper connection and understanding of its principles. The ultimate 2024 aim is to integrate BC more thoroughly into both educational and professional practices at WUR.

During the meeting the group participated to an experiential exercise: “Feeling Boundary Crossing”. Carla Oonk, member of the BC core team, led an engaging exercise designed to immerse participants in the concept of boundary crossing. Inspired by activities in the new Bachelors of Marine Sciences, this exercise encouraged attendees to reflect on their interdisciplinary experiences. This activity not only illustrated individual comfort levels with boundary crossing but also sparked meaningful discussions about personal experiences and challenges in navigating different academic and professional landscapes.

The session continued with sharing three examples of BC-related initiatives present in WUR:

1) Boundary Crossing and Personal Leadership course in Bachelor Marine Sciences (BMS)

A significant highlight was the presentation on the new ribbon course "Boundary Crossing and Personal Leadership in Marine Sciences." This course began with the vision of equipping future Marine Sciences Bachelor graduates with essential skills to bridge gaps between disciplines, cultural contexts, and within the academia- society relationship, crucial for addressing complex challenges in Marine Science. The course is characterized by (1) the integration of BC and Personal Leadership (PL) into the BMS curriculum; (2) the use of creative, non-traditional learning activities and assessment methods like the development and assessment portfolios; and (3) the connection of course activities to real-world marine science challenges.

If you would like to read more about this or find out more about the portfolios used in the course, check out this news item and/or contact Camilla Ramezzano (camilla.ramezzano@wur.nl) or Judith Gulikers (judith.gulikers@wur.nl).

2) Integrating Boundary Crossing and Skills in Bachelors Animal Sciences (BAS)

Inge Palm shared how the Animal Sciences (BAS) program is currently integrating Boundary Crossing (BC) and other skills into the bachelor curriculum. The relevance of Boundary Crossing in the BAS program lies in preparing graduates to work in interdisciplinary teams and communicate research results to non-scientific audiences. Tensions can arise from differences in knowledge or practices, and boundary crossing is about identifying and overcoming these tensions to improve communication and collaboration. For example, how do you respond when your opinion conflicts with someone else's? Do you continue listening or become frustrated and stop communicating? An interactive brainstorming took place focused on addressing challenges in implementing BC, particularly in the bachelor’s in animal sciences. Participants discussed ways to incorporate BC exercises into existing courses, and ensure lecturers are well-versed in BC concepts.

For more information on this, you can reach out to Inge Palm (inge.palm@wur.nl).

3) Boundary Crossing in Education Innovation project in MSc Tourism, Society and Environment

Martina Sedlakova shared about the Education Innovation project that was initiated in December 2023 within the MSc Tourism, Society, and Environment program at WUR. This project is developed to improve the connection between academic study and professional practice through three strategic pillars: "knowing yourself," "knowing the field," and "knowing how to reach out and engage." Each pillar is designed to facilitate a smooth transition from academia to the labor market, representing a prime example of Boundary Crossing (BC). At the core of the initiative is the goal to integrate academic pursuits with professional requirements, ensuring that graduates are not only knowledgeable but also highly adaptable and prepared for the demands of the workforce.

For further information, you can reach out to Martina Sedlakova (martina.sedlakova@wur.nl).

The BC Ambassador Meeting provided a valuable platform for participants to engage with boundary crossing principles and share practical insights. Attendees left with a better understanding of how to apply these concepts in their work and studies, fostering greater collaboration and communication across disciplines. This meeting set a positive tone for the year ahead, encouraging continued exploration and application of boundary crossing at Wageningen University.

If you are interested to join such a session, please feel free to get in touch with us at boundarycrossing@wur.nl.

This news item was prepared by Camilla Ramezzano, with contributions from Inge Palm and Martina Sedlakova.