Research Themes
UUniCORN is a platform for interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary and trans-disciplinary research on conflicting objectives related to sustainability transformations. The institute engages researchers from different disciplinary domains and non-academic stakeholders to move beyond siloed thinking by using transformative and co-created approaches.
Research within UUniCORN is organized into research programmes; (1) Resilient Societies, (2) Sustainable Health, (3) Regenerative Growth, and (4) Technology and Society
Resilient Societies
This research programme focuses on how to build resilient societies in the face of sustainability challenges. Goal conflicts arise and need to be navigated in this process. The research programme thus entails issues like governance, adaptation management and public acceptance. It also has a strong emphasis on power, equity and justice, since these are essential elements in a sustainable society. The research programme is divided into two sub-themes; ‘Governance and Equity’ and ‘Preparedness and Innovation’.
Sustainable Health
This research programme departs from the realization that the incredible gains in human health and wellbeing experienced over the last century has been driven by fossil fuel energy and extractivism. The ecological footprint is currently directly correlated to human development. Sustainable health can be defined as equitable health for all without a negative impact on nature and climate.
Regenerative Growth
This research programme centers on the goal conflict between growth and regenerative practices. The current economic paradigm primarily favors economic development over sustainable practices, both due to the inherent dynamics of a market economy as well as the notion of infinite growth. This may lead to an extractivistic approach to nature and natural resources that compromises biodiversity conservation.
Technology and Society
Technology and Society is a joint research program between UUniCORN and the Department of Civil and Industrial Engineering examining the paradoxes of technology-driven sustainable development through interconnected research tracks, including a philosophically oriented thematic anchor project, a strategic grant-development platform, and applied externally funded research.