Apply for funding for programme development around conflicting goals in sustainable development
The first call for research funding under the Vice-Chancellor’s new initiative on research institutes for a more sustainable society is now open. Photo: Mats Målqvist.
The newly established UUniCORN research institute has announced catalyst funding for programme development on conflicting goals in sustainable social transformation. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until 8 May 2025.
The Uppsala University Conflicting Objectives Research Nexus (UUniCORN) can be described as a platform for interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary research and collaboration focusing on conflicting objectives associated with sustainable development. UUniCORN was established in September 2024 and has now appointed a Scientific Collegium and issued its first call for funding for programme development.
Instructions for UUniCORN
On 12 November 2024, the Vice-Chancellor adopted instructions for UUniCORN. The instructions state:
“Major societal challenges require many types of transitions. Technical systems, forms of production, consumption patterns and lifestyles may need to change, as well as the way markets are regulated and policies are designed. Such changes can lead to synergies but also to conflicting objectives, which complicate or, in the worst case, block necessary transitions.
The institute will focus on multidisciplinary studies of conflicting objectives and synergies in processes where society needs to be transformed to tackle major challenges.”
The instructions go on to say: “The main purpose of the institute is to to create an internationally leading, multidisciplinary research environment that will develop new methods and knowledge for identifying, analysing and managing conflicting objectives. To a great extent, the societal transformations that will be in focus are linked to social, economic and ecological sustainability. The goal is to conduct research of the highest quality.”
Scientific Collegium
A Scientific Collegium has also been appointed at UUniCORN with representatives from the three disciplinary domains. Together with the Institute’s Director Mats Målqvist, the Collegium will develop ideas and activities for the Institute to create a meeting place and forum for research programmes with different orientations. The Collegium held its first meeting on 18 October 2024.
Call for catalyst funding
In the current call, researchers can apply for catalyst funding for the development of research ideas that could become part of UUniCORN.
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until 8 May 2025 and will be assessed by the Institute’s Scientific Collegium.
Read more about the call for catalyst funding.
Anders Berndt
Facts about UUniCORN
Vice-Chancellor Anders Hagfeldt wants Uppsala University to take a leading role in the movement towards a more sustainable society. In order to achieve this, he has decided to invest in research institutes in selected areas. The initiative has been named Uppsala University Future Institutes (UUniFI).
During the first stage, UUniFI will consist of six components in the areas:
- sustainable development, with a focus on conflicting objectives and synergies
- migration
- precision health
- green energy transition
- AI and digitalisation
- inter- and multidisciplinarity.
In September 2024, the Uppsala University Conflicting Objectives Research Nexus (UUniCORN) was launched. Initially, the Institute had a different name, which was revised to the above by decision of the Vice-Chancellor on 12 November 2024.
UUniCORN is the first component of UUniFI to be launched. Preparatory work is underway for the other five components to start their operations.
Scientific Collegium
UUniCORN has a Scientific Collegium with the following members:
- Giuliano di Baldassarre, Professor of Hydrology and Environmental Analysis
- Ann-Kristin Bergquist, Professor of Economic History
- Malcolm Fairbrother, Professor of Sociology
- Maria Forsberg, Senior Lecturer in Environmental Law
- Gabriele Messori, Professor of Meteorology
- Neil Powell, Senior Lecturer in Learning for Sustainable Development and Global Health
- Joëlle Rüegg, Professor of Environmental Toxicology.