PtS Award, New Incubators, Transdisciplinary Competencies Course, and more ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

Pathways to Sustainability

As we return to business as usual following the start of the 2026–2027 academic year, we look back on a summer with high temperatures, droughts and, unfortunately, wildfires. The widespread of these fires have once again highlighted how tangible the effects of climate change have become, and how important it is that we continue working together towards a more sustainable future.

At the same time, the start of a new academic year offers a natural moment to look ahead with renewed energy and optimism. There is certainly plenty to be excited about. This edition of our newsletter brings together a wealth of exciting events, inspiring initiatives, and new opportunities. We look forward to sharing them with you, and to another year of working, learning and making progress together.

Team Pathways to Sustainability

Pathways to Sustainability Award

Sumbit your project and win €2500

Does your project demonstrate the power of science and society working together for sustainability? This is your opportunity to put inspiring examples of transdisciplinary collaboration in the spotlight. Submit a project before 15 September for the Pathways to Sustainability Award and come vote for the winner at the our Festival.

Submit your project

Utrecht Science Week

From 25 September to 4 October, we enjoy a rich and varied programme of appealing lectures, interactive workshops, guided tours and high-profile interviews, around (applied) science at the Utrecht Science Park. Pathways to Sustainability will also be well represented. Want to know more about the sustainable activities and events we’re involved in?

25 Sept

-

4 Oct

Exhibition: The Hidden Impact of Pesticides

UU Library, USP

Monday

28 Sept

From Field to Planet: The Hidden Impacts of Pesticide Use

14:30-17:00 | Boothzaal, UU Library, USP

Wednesday

30 Sept

Waterdialoog – de toekomst van ons water

15:00-18:00 | Stichting Utrecht Science Park

Friday

2 Oct

Future Food: Narratives of Change

13:00-15:00| Boothzaal, UU Library, USP

New Incubators

We are excited to award an Incubator Grant to four new initiatives. This Grant is our instrument to invest in community building, understanding for each other’s perspectives, and further develop the consortium and the project idea. If you are interested in knowing more or becoming part of the team please do not hesitate to contact any of the team members.

SUSTAINIMAL – aligning sustainability and animal welfare

Tomorrow's Table

Wounded Territories - Visualizing Human-Earth Relations in Latin America’s Damaged Landscapes

Can data centers deliver net positive values and social justice?

Transdisciplinary Competencies Course

18 and 19 November 2026

Addressing today’s sustainability challenges requires (new ways of) collaborating across disciplines, sectors and perspectives. Yet, these collaborations require ways of learning with one another, asking questions, and exploring approaches that are rarely trained in traditional academic paths.

Pathways to Sustainability and the Centre for Unusual Collaborations are pleased to offer the Transdisciplinary Competencies Course on 18 and 19 November 2026. Building on the experience and insights from editions in the past two years, we are once again opening registration to researchers and staff across Utrecht University.

Find out more

Conference: Governing Sustainability in the Age of AI and Digital Innovation

23 October

How can AI and digital innovation help shape more sustainable futures, and what governance challenges do they create along the way?

Join us on 23 October for the conference Governing Sustainability in the Age of AI and Digital Innovation, where scholars, policymakers, practitioners, and societal stakeholders come together to explore the opportunities, dilemmas, and emerging governance models at the intersection of digital transformation and sustainability transitions.

I'm interested!

Discover the impact of our Signature projects

The belief that contributing to a just and sustainable world requires collaboration is deeply rooted in who we are. That is why our Signature projects bring academics together with NGOs, artists, actors and civil society organisations. The first Signature projects have now been completed. What did they achieve, and what impact have they had? Discover the stories of Conceptualizing Ecocide and People's Energy, available in English and Dutch.