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Sustainable Research at UM: past, present, future

The road to Research for Sustainable Development
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UM researchers are working on sustainable development issues from different angles (legal, behavioral, economics, governance, etc.) and focus on different topics (e.g. health, energy, biomaterials, socio-technical innovation). With the advent of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), more impact from scientific research and education is needed. Hence it should be clearer for policy and society how science will contribute to achieving the SDGs.

The Sustainable UM2030 programme wants to give a platform to scientific research that contributes to sustainable development. For this purpose, we call on all UM researchers who are in one way or another interested in sustainable development to participate in this event. The aim of the symposium is to bring researchers from different faculties and disciplines together and to envision the future of sustainability research at UM.
What are the leading sustainability themes on which UM should focus, and how do these relate to the SDGs? What strategy is needed to achieve this, or are we satisfied with the current situation? What are workable approaches to contribute collectively to a Sustainable UM2030? Should UM have a research policy for sustainable development?

These questions and others we want to discuss with you!

The programme of the symposium consists of plenary talks from four researchers of diverse backgrounds about how they envison the future of sustainable research at UM. After that there will be plenty of time to discuss in small sessions in which everyone can contribute to these viewpoints.

The symposium is open for UM researchers and students who are interested in doing research on sustainability.

Programme

13.30 – 13.40 | Introduction Sustainable UM 2030 programme - Anja van Bogaert
13.40 – 14.00 | Sustainable research at UM: survey results and next steps - Wouter van Marken Lichtenbelt & Rick Kramer
Four visions about the future of sustainable research at UM:
14.00 – 14.15 | Dr. Piet Eichholtz
14.15 – 14.30 | Dr. ir. Yvonne van der Meer
14.30 – 14.45 | Prof. Dr. Harro van Lente
14.45 – 15.00 | Prof. Dr. Ir. Joop de Kraker
15.00 – 15.15 | Break
15.15 – 16.30 | Discussion sessions
16.30 – 17:00 | Summary by discussion leaders and plenary discussion
17:00               | Drinks & snacks

The Sustainable UM 2030 programme has been launched over the past year. Its aim is to improve sustainability regarding Operations, Education, and Research at UM. 
Every year we organise sustainable research events at UM. Last year the kick-off symposium was organised in which many ideas and visions have been collected. To be able to take the next steps, it is important to make decisions that determine our route for sustainable research at UM.

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