Sustainability research at EUR is a collective effort by researchers from every faculty and discipline. The studies and projects carried out by these academics cover a wide variety of subjects relating to sustainability, ranging from more sustainable forms of production and consumption to the perception of global warming and the sustainability of various sectors, all of which play a part in helping us achieve our strategic goals. To provide insight in how our research relates to the SDGs, the Data Competence Hub has been working hard to produce the Sustainability Monitor. This monitor was successfully launched in March 2023.
Sustainability is slowly becoming part of operations, research and education at EUR, but the transition of our university needs to accelerate.
This chapter presents an overview of our sustainability research initiatives, accompanied by notable highlights from 2022.
Figure 3.1 Researching Sustainability as part of Strategy 2024
Facts and figures
Before delving into the highlights, we would like to present an overview of all graduate schools, research institutes and centres involved in sustainability research at EUR.
Figure 3.2 EUR’s graduate schools and research institutes and centers involved in sustainability
Erasmus Initiatives
It’s impossible to discuss sustainability research at EUR without mentioning the Erasmus Initiatives. These are four ambitious transdisciplinary plans that align the academic efforts and interests of the faculties and illustrate the interaction between science and society and between theory and practice.
PFAS, an exposure we did not choose
The Erasmus Initiative Dynamics of Inclusive Prosperity (DoIP) develops understanding of inclusive prosperity and exposes its drivers. It also shows how this knowledge can be used to effectively address contemporary societal challenges in the Netherlands and elsewhere.
One researcher for the initiative, Abby Muricho Onencan, wrote a blogpost about the "forever chemicals" PFAS. PFAS are widely used throughout society and are easily transported in the environment, polluting soil, water and air.
Want to know more about all the Erasmus Initiatives? The figure below gives an overview of the initiatives, and you can read more about the individual initiatives by clicking on the markers.
Figure 3.3 Erasmus Initiatives that contribute to sustainability research
Highlights and achievements
The challenges facing society are not only becoming increasingly complex and multidimensional but also appear to be manifesting themselves with greater frequency. Our university has been responding to these challenges, as evidenced by the growth in interfaculty collaboration and inter- and transdisciplinary research at EUR. This section gives various examples of our sustainability research.
The Setting the Scene project by Stijn Reijnders from Erasmus School of History, Culture and Communication (ESHCC) has obtained an ERC Proof of Concept grant to make media tourism more sustainable and inclusive.
Since 2013, the KidsRights Index charts state performance on children’s rights. A generational perspective, including a child rights-based view, is crucial for sustainability efforts. Professor Karin Arts of the International Institute of Social Studies (ISS) is one of the co-initiators of the KidsRights Index and the primary author of the 2022 report.
Climate change is a game changer for children’s rights, therefore the KidsRights Index Team is searching for a scientifically sound way of incorporating this phenomenon into the Index.
Researchers Darren McCauley and Pieter Tuytens, from Erasmus School of Social and Behavioural Sciences (ESSB), have won a new Horizon 2020 project that aims to provide solutions for zero-pollution and positive energy buildings as part of sustainable green neighbourhood developments.
Associate Professor Ronald Huisman of Erasmus School of Economics (ESE)is one of the seven authors from LDE who contributed to the white paper Critical materials, green energy and geopolitics: a complex mix. The paper describes the energy transition as a switch from fossil fuels to metals such as iron, copper, lithium and rare earth metals.
Researcher Daphina Misiedjan from the International Institute of Social Studies (ISS) discussed climate injustice in Studio Erasmus.
Research of the International Institute of Social Studies
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