The IDEAS Office of Interdisciplinary Studies serves as a university-wide incubator for interdisciplinary research, fostering cross-pedagogical learning and collaboration across JGU Schools and Institutes. The programme embodies this spirit, integrating field-based learning from initiatives like the Grassroots Action Program and Solidarities. Combining insights from economics, public policy, sociology, political science, and environmental studies, the curriculum emphasizes skill-based learning alongside theoretical analysis. With a strong focus on fieldwork, students will gain firsthand experience in addressing contemporary development challenges, ensuring a holistic and practice-oriented education.

Drawing from the Latin roots of the word interdisciplinary—inter meaning “between” and disciplina meaning “knowledge” or “teaching”—IDEAS positions itself at the intersection of diverse fields of knowledge within the social sciences. We aim to inhabit this transitional intellectual space, fostering research that emerges between disciplinary boundaries, where convergence of thought, practice, and expertise takes place. 

Our platform aspires to serve as a foundation for building sustainable, multidisciplinary collaborations—both within the University and in partnership with civil society, international organizations, and leading research institutions.