Researching sustainability

Creating positive social impact through research

Introduction

It is our strategy to contribute with our research to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs) of the United Nations. 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 food systems and an equitable energy transition to environmental justice and the sustainability of various sectors. All of these factors play a part in helping us achieve positive social impact. Some of our research is linked to initiatives on campus that serve as a living lab.

To provide insight into how our research relates to the SDGs, the Data Competence Hub has been working hard to produce the Sustainability Monitor. This monitor, which contains data on the school and EUR levels, was successfully launched in March 2023. The monitor can be used to map our SDG profile when exploring partnerships or to steer policy decisions regarding our research focus.

This chapter presents an overview of our sustainability research initiatives, accompanied by notable highlights from 2023.

Facts and figures

Before delving into the highlights, we present an overview of all graduate schools, research institutes and centres involved in sustainability research at EUR.

Figure 3.1 EUR’s graduate schools, research institutes and centres involved in sustainability

Transformative research into sustainability

It is impossible to discuss sustainability research at EUR without mentioning the Design Impact Transition (DIT) platform. Its activities range from researching how universities can teach students to challenge the status quo to exploring how transformative research can be embedded in academia.

In 2023, after a year of shared research, DIT completed a project with ACCEZZ. The project aimed to foster lasting transformations in the way knowledge is produced for sustainability transitions by facilitating partnerships between entrepreneurs, scientists and policymakers. As a result, DIT colleagues produced a report that explores the governance of transdisciplinary sustainability research programmes.

The report, called Transforming Universities – Mobilizing research and education for sustainability transitions at Erasmus University Rotterdam, The Netherlands and written by Derk A. Loorbach and DIT academic Julia Wittmayer, argues that the current institutional model of universities is inadequate to contribute effectively to social transitions towards fair and sustainable futures.

Figure 3.2 Design Impact Transition platform

Highlights and achievements

Researchers Dr Sebastian Gabel and Dr Antonia Krefeld-Schwalb from the Rotterdam School of Management (RSM) are developing an application entitled Empowering a sustainable future. Having successfully acquired Kickstarter funding, the project is aimed at developing a machine learning algorithm to design personalized behavioural interventions and advance the application of behavioural sciences towards sustainability. The application was built in 2023. Results of the pilot at campus Woudestein will be reported in 2024.

Empowering others to become more sustainable starts by empowering and changing yourself first.

Author: Dr Anotnia Krefeld-Schwalb Assistant Professor at the RSM

To address the urgent need for a sustainable food system, researchers from the Erasmus School of History, Culture and Communication (ESHCC) are coordinating the Consumers’ Understanding of Eating Sustainably (CUES) project, which was awarded a grant of 6.5 million euros by the European Commission. CUES will develop nine interventions to create and test technological, organisational and social innovations in the agri-food value chain.

The Dutch Research Institute for Transitions (DRIFT) leads the European research project JustWind4All, supporting the acceleration of on- and offshore wind energy – including emerging wind technologies like airborne and floating – through fair and effective governance. This project includes setting up five regional wind labs across Europe: regional testing grounds that use innovative approaches to tackle the main challenges of fair and sustainable wind energy development.

The Developing Energy Communities with Intelligent and Sustainable Technologies (DE-CIST) project was launched in Rotterdam. Led by Dr Rebecca Moody from the Erasmus School of Social and Behavioural Sciences (ESSB), the project is a consortium that includes Dutch research institutions and the city of Rotterdam. The project, awarded an ICLEI Action Fund 2.0 grant, seeks to engage citizens, communities, researchers and governments in co-creating an equitable energy transition.

Prof. Harry Geerlings, an expert in the governance of sustainable mobility at Erasmus University Rotterdam, discussed the lack of progress of the energy transition in the port of Rotterdam in Studio Erasmus.

Prof. Albert Wagelmans of the Erasmus School of Economics (ESE) and co-authors Dr Harwin de Vries (Rotterdam School of Management) and Prof. Joris van de Klundert (Erasmus School of Health Policy & Management) have been awarded the Paul Kleindorfer Award in Sustainability. They received the award for their joint paper titled The Roadside Healthcare Facility Location Problem: A Managerial Network Design Challenge.

The interdisciplinary SEISMEC project, led by Erasmus University Rotterdam in partnership with a multinational consortium of research, industry and civil-society partners, has been awarded 10 million euros by the European Commission as part of the Horizon Europe programme. SEISMEC aims to shape a productive and enriching future, with a focus on creating sustainable work environments that prioritise employee well-being and fulfilment.

Erasmus Initiative "Dynamics of Inclusive Prosperity"

A lot of sustainability research at Erasmus University Rotterdam has been made possible by the Erasmus initiative Dynamics of Inclusive Prosperity (Doip). Through its projects, the initiative develops understanding of inclusive prosperity and exposes its drivers. It also shows how this knowledge can be used effectively to address contemporary social challenges in the Netherlands and elsewhere.

Maria Carmen Punzi, a PhD candidate from the Rotterdam School of Managment (RSM) and a member of Dynamics of Inclusive Prosperity, was awarded the 2023 FAME Athena Award for her contribution to worldwide gender equity, focusing on menstrual health. Her research is centred on how various stakeholders are beginning to recognise the importance of menstrual health and integrate it into their work.
Values in Finance is a research project of Dynamics of Inclusive Prosperity, in partnership with the Erasmus School of Philosophy (ESPhil), the Rotterdam School of Management (RSM) and the University of Groningen. It entails a detailed methodological assessment of finance models and theories through the lens of key theories in the philosophy of science, social science and economics regarding scientific values, explanation and use of models.
A report on floating degassing co-authored by Abdurrahman Erol, PhD Candidate at the Erasmus School of Law, and Alessandra Arcuri, Professor of International Economic Law, concluded that banning toxic fumes from inland vessels in the Netherlands is likely mandatory. Their research, discussed by the Dutch government, led to interviews by NRC, NOS and Omroep Flevoland. Thanks to the report, floating degassing will be banned in the Netherlands, which will have positive implications for both the environment and society’s health. This research was made possible by a grant awarded by the Erasmus initiative Dynamics of Inclusive Prosperity.

The ban on floating degassing is an important development to realise the human right to a healthy environment in the Netherlands. We’re glad to see that our report has helped to achieve this outcome.

Author: Alessandra Arcuri Professor of International Economic Law, ESL

In 2023, an episode of Zembla presented research on the PFAS chemical contamination conducted by academics from EUR and members of Dynamic of Inclusive Prosperity. The episode closely aligns with the research project Insights into the History and Contemporary Dynamics of PFAS Eco-toxicity, led by Prof. Lieselot Bisschop (ESL), along with her colleagues Dr Abby Onencan and Sammie Verbeek from the Erasmus School of Law (ESL) and Dr Yogi Hendlin from the Erasmus School of Philosophy (ESPhil). The research project focuses on the harmful effects of PFAS chemicals.

Criminologist Prof. Lieselot Bisschop provided more information about the criminal case concerning PFAS pollution in Studio Erasmus.

Reflection

The number and range of inter- and transdisciplinary research initiatives at EUR are increasing, as the pressure for change and the need to contribute are growing. We increasingly combine knowledge from different sources, resulting in impactful research that contributes to a fair and sustainable world. What remains a challenge is defining our joint goals on sustainability or transformative research, as this will affect current practices and require institutional changes.