Sustainability in my research

In the current era of socio-ecological crisis, research must step up and play a role to shape a future sustainable and just society. Sustainability must be integrated in research activities and research activities should find paths to contribute to sustainability. This challenge cannot only be interpreted as a disciplinary or even as an interdisciplinary problem; it requires first and foremost a preliminary effort to develop specific transversal skills. This class aims to offer PhD student an introduction to key sustainability concepts as well as a space for students to reflect on how they could contribute further to sustainability, by acting on their research questions, as well as on their research practices. The course provides a background on sustainability but it focuses on three important transversal skills to foster it: (1) system thinking, (2) ability to communicate effectively to a diverse audience, (3) Identify and assume the different roles, including leadership, that are involved in well-functioning teams. The course is hands-on and it includes a serious-game workshop to introduce the tragedy of the commons, a journal-club on landmark sustainability papers, an individual project tailored to the specific research of each enrolled PhD student as well as methodological and, when possible thematic, coaching for the individual project.