ISOE-Lecture: Knowledge for transitions towards sustainable development

Knowledge is a central precondition for sustainable development. However, the connection between knowledge and action demands a closer look. Science and universities are called upon to take on social-ecological transitions as research topics. In this context, further questions regarding science policy arise: What kind of sustainability research do we need, and what should its relation to society, economy and politics be in order to master global social-ecological challenges of the future? What are the implications for universities if they work under the guiding principles of sustainable development? Is there a “sustainable science” as such? And, finally, in what way does the science system have to change to enable and support transitions toward sustainable development?

One consequence appears certain: If science identifies ways out of the crisis, i.e. if it generates knowledge for transitions toward sustainable development, it will be confronted with institutional knowledge and the experiences of various actors from politics, economy, and civil society. Often, the relation between this kind of knowledge and scientific knowledge is unclear or even controversial. This tension also applies to the relation between basic research and application-orientated research as well as to the relation between university and non-university research.

The yearly ISOE-lecture takes place in the winter semester and addresses these and other questions concerning sustainability research. With respect to the issue of how to successfully manage transitions toward sustainable development and the role of universities and science in this matter, the lecture seeks to provide thought-provoking impulses for students and young scientists.
 

ISOE-Lecture WS 2023/2024
Bringing ecology to decision-makers – a comparison of approaches
Lisen Schultz, Stellvertretende Direktorin Stockholm Resilience Centre
Download presentation (pdf) | Audio recording (mp3

ISOE-Lecture WS 2022/2023
Quantum Social Change for a Thriving World: You Matter More than You Think
Karen O’Brien, Professorin für Soziologie und Humangeografie an der University of Oslo, Norwegen
Video recording 

ISOE-Lecture WS 2020/2021
How to Live Responsibly on a Plastic Planet 
Dr. Kim De Wolff, Assistant Professor of Environmental Philosophy, University of North Texas, Denton (USA)
Video recording

ISOE-Lecture WS 2019/2020 
Shaping a Better Planet in the Age of Humans
Erle C. Ellis, Professor für Geografie und Umweltsysteme an der Universität Maryland in Baltimore (USA) 

ISOE-Lecture WS 2018/2019 
Decolonizing Ecology: Umweltgerechtigkeit jenseits dominanter westlicher Naturvorstellungen
Dr. Barbara Muraca, Assistant Professor of Philosophy, Department of Philosophy, Oregon State University, Oregon (USA) Download

ISOE-Lecture WS 2017/2018
Social Ecology – Integrative Science for a Complex World 
Prof. Daniel Stokols, University of California, Irvine (USA), Dept. of Psychology and Social Behavior Download

ISOE-Lecture WS 2016/2017
Nichtwissen in der Wissensgesellschaft: Zur Rolle von Realexperimenten für eine nachhaltige Entwicklung 
Prof. Dr. Matthias Groß, Helmholtz-Zentrum für Umweltforschung – UFZ Download 

ISOE-Lecture WS 2015/2016
Transdisziplinäre Forschung in einem neuen Erdzeitalter? Die Debatte um das Anthropozän
Prof. Dr. Christoph Görg, Alpen-Adria Universität Klagenfurt/Wien/Graz Download

ISOE-Lecture WS 2014/2015
Krisendiskurse und Securitization von Wasser: Forschung über gesellschaftliche Naturverhältnisse am Beispiel des Projekts WaterPower
Prof. Dr. rer.nat. Antje Bruns, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin Download 

ISOE-Lecture WS 2013/2014
Was ist – was soll sein. Nachhaltige Wissenschaft und ihre Bezugnahme zur Welt 
Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Heike Egner, Universität Klagenfurt Download 

ISOE-Lecture WS 2012/2013
Nachhaltige Wissensprozesse. Bleibt die Universität ein privilegierter Ort der Wissenschaft?
Prof. Dr. Egon Becker, Goethe-Universität Frankfurt/ISOE Download 

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