Social, communicative and behavioural aspects are indispensable if the transition to a more sustainable society is to succeed. This message is conveyed by Dr Carina Wiekens and Dr Wim Elving. They investigate communicative and social processes as well as behavioural change in light of the transition to a greener society at their Communication, Behaviour & The Sustainable Society professorship. On Thursday 24 January, both will be officially inaugurated as professors of Hanze UAS by Mr H.J. Pijlman, Chair of the Executive Board.
The professorship emphasizes the value that Hanze UAS places on the social change required for a successful transition to a sustainable society. This professorship contributes applied research to the available knowledge of a technical, legal and economic nature in order to further education as well as innovation for the benefit of a more sustainable society. Successful projects such as 10.000 Duurzame Huishoudens [10,000 Sustainable Households], the We-Energy Game, Bedrijfkracht [Executive Power], R-Link and Samen Besparen [Save Together] have already proven the merits of the professorship.
Sustainable Society Event
The Sustainable Society Event will be organised ahead of the professors’ inauguration. This event will announce the achievements from a wide range of sustainability projects in the presence of the members of the Provincial Executive for Groningen, Friesland and Drenthe as well as various interest groups and representatives of secondary education institutions. Students will present their contributions to a sustainable society by pitching innovative ideas, while new projects on the topic of energy poverty will be initiated.
Climate depression
The Sustainable Society Event also hosts a pop-up Barn Talk on climate depression. Top officials from the government, education, industry and society will engage with people suffering from climate depression, moderated by Hink Jan Apotheker. Their concerns include the pace at which the world is changing or energy poverty as a result of price increases.
