Despite some degree of existing interactions, knowledge exchange about sustainability could be improved between researchers from different departments and faculties at UM, as well as external researchers and non-academic actors. To understand and address complex sustainability challenges, interdisciplinary (and ideally transdisciplinary) knowledge exchange and research is vital.
So far a survey has been conducted with a total of 35 researchers from all UM faculties. The report suggests that knowledge exchange is generally rather low within as well as across faculties (with some exceptions) and that there is a demand for more knowledge exchange and interdisciplinary research collaboration among researchers at UM. Secondly, the survey shows the demand, desired characteristics, and expected benefits of a platform for knowledge exchange. It was further found that the development of a platform could potentially be an effective way to support knowledge exchange about sustainability, insofar as it meets the criteria (stated in the report) that will provide added value to the researchers involved.
For more details please download the report:
Symposia on Sustainability at Maastricht University
- 1st symposium January 2014
On January 16 2014 the first knowledge exchange symposium successfully took place, to which researchers of various faculties were invited. The purpose was to meet face-to-face, present their research, and exchange ideas. This also included discussion about potential joint projects and funding opportunities and therefore played an important role in facilitation cross-disciplinary sustainability-related research.
- 2nd symposium September 2014
ICIS and SBE, together with the Green Office, are currently organizing this year’s second interdisciplinary research symposium scheduled for the 22nd of September researchers have been invited to discuss how benchmarking for sustainability should be conducted.