Taking the Complex Dynamics of Human–Environment–Technology Systems Seriously: A Case Study in Doctoral Education at the University of Luxembourg

in Frontiers in Sustainability (2021), 2

Our existential sustainability challenges involve human–environment–technology systems that are complex, dynamic and tightly coupled. But at universities, knowledge, in teaching and research, is mostly ... [more ▼]

Our existential sustainability challenges involve human–environment–technology systems that are complex, dynamic and tightly coupled. But at universities, knowledge, in teaching and research, is mostly organized into discrete parcels, the disciplines. These are further divided into the categories of natural sciences, social science and the humanities. This paper addresses the question of how in their training of researchers, universities can equip them to better understand their roles and also to act as change agents. It describes a doctoral school course in transferable skills that is offered across faculties. The unique aim of the course is to provide a space for reflection on different research paradigms and the way they differ in their framing the role of a scientific researcher in pluralist societies that face existential challenges. The course introduces diverse more recent approaches to scientific inquiry that harness the potential of democratizing science in our networked knowledge society, including critical interdisciplinarity, post-normal science, citizen science and transformative sustainability science, that complement normal disciplinary research practices. [less ▲]

Can citizen science complement official data sources that serve as evidence-base for policies and practice to improve water quality?

in Statistical Journal of the IAOS (2021), 73(1), 189-204

Addressing environmental issues in policy making requires recognising these issues as part of a complex socio-ecological system. The evidence base for such policies and associated monitoring and ... [more ▼]

Addressing environmental issues in policy making requires recognising these issues as part of a complex socio-ecological system. The evidence base for such policies and associated monitoring and implementation measures, as well as related official indicators, statistics and environmental accounts are receiving increasing attention. This paper explores the potential of citizen science as a non-traditional source of data to complement the current data production process for evidence-based policy-making, using pollution of surface waters and its effect on associated ecosystems as an example. The paper develops a framework that helps to explore the official data production process in relation to different purposes of environmental policies. This highlights different challenges that the current official data production process sees itself confronted with in relation to the different purposes of the policies and associated monitoring regimes. These questions are explored with reference to the case of evidence-based policy making on water quality of surface freshwater in the EU, with a focus on Luxembourg. The analysis is based on extensive documentary analysis and literature review, as well as a series of interviews and participatory workshops with various stakeholders, and first results of a pilot project work with engaged citizen volunteers to solicit data on water quality with a focus on its nutrient content. On this basis, this paper argues that citizen science has the clear potential to meaningfully contribute both to the evidence base for policy and practice, as well as to an improved governance process. [less ▲]

A pluralistic and integrated approach to action-oriented knowledge for sustainability

in Nature Sustainability (2020)

Sustainability science needs more systematic approaches for mobilizing knowledge in support of interventions that may bring about transformative change. In this Perspective, we contend that action ... [more ▼]

Sustainability science needs more systematic approaches for mobilizing knowledge in support of interventions that may bring about transformative change. In this Perspective, we contend that action-oriented knowledge for sustainability emerges when working in integrated ways with the many kinds of knowledge involved in the shared design, enactment and realization of change. The pluralistic and integrated approach we present rejects technocratic solutions to complex sustainability challenges and foregrounds individual and social learning. We argue that research institutions devoted to sustainability should focus more on creating the conditions for experimenting with multiple kinds of knowledge and ways of knowing to foster sustainability-oriented learning. [less ▲]

Democratising renewable energy provision into the grid in Luxembourg

Dissertation and these (2016)

Renewable energy has become a cornerstone in strategies for sustainable development, as a substitute for fossil fuels and thus a pre-condition for the transition into a low-carbon era. Under the EU2020 ... [more ▼]

Renewable energy has become a cornerstone in strategies for sustainable development, as a substitute for fossil fuels and thus a pre-condition for the transition into a low-carbon era. Under the EU2020 policy framework, Luxembourg has committed to increase the share of electricity generated from renewable energy sources to 11 % by 2020. To reach this objective, a social and technological transition is needed. A potential key factor in the success of this transition would be the democratisation of the provision of energy into the Luxembourg grid. The peer group report investigates the role that energy cooperatives play in this regard. It compares two renewable energy cooperatives: EquiEnerCoop in Junglinster and TM EnerCoop in Esch-sur-Alzette, identifying strengths and weaknesses. Furthermore, taking a point of departure in the concept of prosumerism (self-consumption), it makes recommendations on expanding cooperative activities to the direct selling of electricity to members to increase local value creation. Finally, the report recommends the setting-up of public incentive schemes for the installation of solar panels and prosumer units in apartment blocks. [less ▲]