How to run a sustainability science research group sustainably?

Abstract

Rigorous sustainability science includes addressing pressing real-world problems, weaving multiple knowledge systems, and striving for transformative change. However, these key attributes of sustainability science often conflict with university structures and established academic work practices, for instance with regard to frequent long-distance travel. Such contradictions between key principles of sustainability and everyday practices are experienced by many researchers not only at university level, but also in their individual behaviors. To help resolve this widespread divergence, we present ten principles to foster the sustainability of a research group working in sustainability science, based on our personal experiences and experiments as research group leaders. These principles comprise: (1) monitor the environmental footprint, (2) foster learning and innovation, (3) reduce the environmental footprint, (4) nurture campus sustainability, (5) embrace sustainability in private life, (6) constructively deal with environmental anxiety, (7) design research projects for sustainability impact, (8) engage with stakeholders, (9) capitalize on sustainability teaching, and (10) recognize biases and limits. Applying sustainability principles in everyday research practices can provide important social tipping points that may trigger the spreading of new social norms and behaviors.

A feminist ethos for caring knowledge production in transdisciplinary sustainability science

“…There is an increasing, but still marginal number of sustainability scientists who openly ‘admit’ that their research affects them on an emotional level, thereby opposing the notion of the objective, value-free and detached truth-finder (Is This How You Feel 2020 ). Nevertheless, feelings, such as ‘ecological grief’ or ‘eco-anxiety’ (Cunsolo et al 2018 ; Cunsolo et al 2020 ; Plieninger et al 2021 ), are often unavoidable side-effects of thinking with care (Puig de la Bellacasa 2017 : 93) and may have powerful transformative capacity for system change (Ives et al 2020 ; Riechers et al 2019 ).…”

Writing as a Human Activity: Implications and Applications of the Work of Charles Bazerman

“…Research genres have multiplied and diversified dramatically over the past few years, as research purposes have gradually shifted to meet new social challenges. Researchers have been compelled to reinterpret their work and the overall paradigm of scientific contribution, and to gradually move from producing science for society to doing science with society, the latter practice involving the forging of new understandings and complicities with different stakeholders and societal agents (European Commission, 2018;Plieninger et al, 2021). While traditional genres such as research articles, dissertations, and theses are still 104 Castelló pervasive and valued in most disciplines, new genres are emerging to address changes in research purposes and practices.…”

From grief to hope in conservation

“…In this essay, we offer our personal perspective on questions of grief and hope. We decided to share this perspective because we noticed that similar questions are increasingly on the minds of many conservation students and professionals (Cunsolo et al, 2020;Faria, 2020;Plieninger et al, 2021). With no imminent turning point for global sustainability in sight, we consider it important to reflect on what might be a viable mental and philosophical response for those engaged in biodiversity conservation.…”

“…Terms like "ecological grief" and "eco-anxiety" are increasingly used to describe the emotional responses of people to environmental degradation (Cunsolo et al, 2020;Plieninger et al, 2021;Usher et al, 2019). An analogy has been drawn to the well-studied emotional responses of individuals who are grieving and individuals given bad personal news, such as being diagnosed with a chronic or terminal illness (Cunsolo & Ellis, 2018).…”