Wicked problems
- Date
- 6 November 2026, 13:15–15:00
- Location
- Ångström Laboratory, 106130, Gustav de Laval
- Type
- Workshop
- Organiser
- TUR - Council for Educational Development at the Faculty of Science and Technology
- Contact person
- Cecilia Gustavsson
Wicked problems are complex, interconnected problems that are difficult to define precisely and have no clear-cut or definitive solutions. In this seminar we will discuss their definition and examples as well as when and how we can use them in our teaching.
Many of the challenges our students will face in their future professional lives do not come with clear problem definitions or straightforward solutions. Issues such as climate change, sustainable energy systems, and the societal impacts of artificial intelligence are complex, contested, and evolving. Yet much of higher education is still centered on well-defined problems with well-defined answers. How can we better prepare students to navigate complexity, uncertainty, and goal conflicts?
In this seminar, we will explore the concept of wicked problems and discuss what distinguishes them from more traditional educational problem formulations. We will consider when and why wicked problems can be valuable in teaching, examine examples from different disciplines, and discuss the kinds of learning they can promote. Finally, we will explore practical principles for designing learning activities around complex real-world challenges.
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