Future Based + Filip Studios residency program

At Future Based, we believe in interdisciplinary studies—beyond the buzz. Interdisciplinary research allows for a synthesis of ideas that integrates characteristics from different disciplines. We see the crossing of borders between disciplines as highly potent spaces, but we are equally interested in analyzing the pitfalls of interdisciplinary projects. It is common to come across a theme that is relevant to, for instance, the fields of literature, art, and history, or a subject of inquiry that concerns both science and mathematics. And yet, it is rare to find models of research that fully incorporate such varying disciplines. The question that remains, is what form of interdisciplinary studies can really intertwine divergent disciplines and allow for a truly reciprocal exchange?

With this question in mind, Future Based joined forces with Fillip Studios in 2019. Together we developed and organize(d) three residency periods (October 2019, March 2020, October 2020), in which attendees from different disciplines work together on a case, provided by real case-holders. Previous cases included question regarding themes such as how to reduce loneliness in a city, the future of robotics in health care or how to improve the ecological systems in a residential area. The cases are presented by clients such as scientific institutions, governmental organizations or companies. Here again, philosophy functions as a tool to think critically about the established frameworks and thought processes that govern different disciplines: How can differences be overcome to make way for common ground between disciplines?

We have published a reflection on our findings on interdisciplinary learning. The article can be accessed here. The PDF can be downloaded here.