Art/Science collaborations for transformative change in the water sector

In connection with the global sustainability crisis, the (drinking) water sector is at a critical juncture, facing urgent challenges such as water scarcity, pollution, and the need to comply with stricter environmental legislation. Despite significant efforts, traditional approaches are not sufficient to effectively solve these problems. A growing consensus within the scientific community holds that transformative change is necessary — extending beyond gradual adjustments and often requiring a radical restructuring of systems, institutions, and behaviors. An immediate need exists for transformative and innovative methods that can break through existing barriers and accelerate the transition to a more sustainable water system. Disciplinary boundaries and paradigms, biases and world views must be transcended, as they limit the way actors understand and perceive problems.

To better understand their potential, we explored how art/science collaborations may foster transformative learning which is essential for transformative change. For this purpose, we performed a literature study and held a series of expert interviews, addressing the sociological context and the historical interrelationship between the fields of art and science, and their respective (perceived) roles in society.

The historical analysis results showed how the practice and public reception of (Western) art have changed throughout the centuries. From the 19^th century onwards, the arts and sciences separated into progressively autonomous fields. In the 21^st century a shift is identified: the autonomous stance of science appears to have passed its peak, and the arts are once again becoming more involved in societal and social processes of change — fueling a rapprochement between art and science.

Two types of collaboration were distinguished in our study: instrumental and synergistic art/science collaborations. The instrumental approach strategically uses artistic expression to promote or make scientific research accessible to a broader audience. In contrast, the synergistic approach involves an equitable interaction in which scientists and artists inspire and influence each other. Rather than merely translating scientific research via artistic expression, the process involves a dynamic exchange in which both disciplines challenge and stimulate each other in new ways. Art and science together, shape the scope, narrative, language, and outcome of the process. Our study concluded that a synergistic approach is particularly valuable in dealing with complex “wicked problems” and examined success criteria for art/science collaboration.

The exploratory research was followed up by a 5-month artist-in-residency (AiR) at KWR Water Research Institute in 2025/’26. This project, conducted by artist Mariko Hori, focused solely on the synergetic art/science collaboration. By integrating artistic practices into the research environment, the AiR challenged conventional approaches, offered new perspectives on water-related problems, and provided insight into the dynamics of transdisciplinary collaborations. The main insights and outcomes of the AiR project will be presented.