The TRANSENS project, a transdisciplinary research consortium focused on nuclear waste management, was examined through a series of surveys conducted by the Transdisciplinarity Lab (TdLabs) at ETH Zürich. The study aimed to trace how the transdisciplinary (TD) research approach reshapes scientists’ understanding of science and its societal role. Three surveys were carried out at the start of the project in 2021, midway in 2023, and at its conclusion in 2024, each generating a dedicated TRANSENS report. The 2024 report, published as TRANSENS‑Bericht‑24 (DOI 10.21268/20241021‑0), presents a comparative analysis of the three data collections.
In 2024, 38 scientists participated, a number equal to the 2023 cohort and slightly lower than the 48 respondents in 2021. Respondents were split between a mathematically‑natural‑engineering (MINT) background (61 %) and a humanities‑social‑economic (SGW) background (39 %). The survey instrument consisted mainly of closed, quantitative items addressing the goals and basic conditions of science and of TD research, supplemented by open questions that asked participants to identify the most significant outcomes of TRANSENS for science and practice, and to recall memorable moments within the project. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, correlation tests, and cluster analysis, while qualitative responses were coded thematically.
Key findings from the 2024 survey show that scientists overwhelmingly agree that the primary goals of science are the acquisition of knowledge and the reflection on that knowledge and the scientific process. These items received the lowest standard deviation (0.42), indicating strong consensus. In contrast, goals such as “promoting or initiating societal change” and “providing politicians with facts and enabling them to decide” received the lowest agreement and the highest variability (standard deviation 1.49), reflecting divergent views on science’s political role. Regarding basic conditions, respondents most strongly endorsed systematic, methodologically guided approaches and self‑critique. The least endorsed condition was “value‑freedom” (i.e., interest‑free). Significant disciplinary differences emerged: MINT scientists agreed more strongly (p < 0.00) with the goal of identifying universal laws, whereas SGW scientists placed greater emphasis on societal change (p < 0.00). MINT participants also rated objectivity, reproducibility, and value‑freedom higher than SGW colleagues. Age differences were limited to the goal of providing knowledge for practical problem solving, where scientists aged 45 years or older showed higher agreement than younger peers.
The exploratory analysis revealed evolving patterns across the three survey waves. While consensus on the core scientific goals remained stable, attitudes toward the inclusion of citizens and practitioners in legitimising political decisions fluctuated, suggesting a gradual shift in the perceived role of TD research. Correlation matrices highlighted strong links between the endorsement of systematic methodology and the belief in science’s capacity to generate actionable knowledge. Cluster analysis identified distinct subgroups of respondents, largely aligned with disciplinary background, that differed in their weighting of societal versus methodological priorities.
Qualitative insights underscored the perceived value of TRANSENS in bridging disciplinary divides and fostering real‑world relevance. Participants highlighted the project’s ability to produce actionable knowledge for nuclear waste policy and to create memorable collaborative experiences that reinforced the importance of stakeholder engagement.
Collaboration-wise, the study was coordinated by TdLabs at ETH Zürich, which designed and administered the surveys and performed the analyses. The TRANSENS consortium, comprising multiple research institutions, provided the scientific context and facilitated the integration of citizen and practitioner perspectives. The project spanned from 2021 to 2024, with the surveys marking key milestones in its longitudinal evaluation. The consortium’s transdisciplinary framework, involving both MINT and SGW scientists and external stakeholders, exemplifies a structured approach to embedding societal relevance within scientific inquiry.