| Pathways to Sustainability |
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Can we imagine different futures? To aim for a sustainable future, we need to use our imagination to live and act differently. But how far can we go? Recognizing how imagination, creativity, and existing sustainable solutions can help transform sustainability, Pathways is organizing two interdisciplinary dialogues.
The first one is about reimagining cities. It focuses on combining nature and urban imagination, as urban growth increasingly strains the balance between development and nature. While smart cities offer technological solutions, nature-based solutions aim to restore ecological resilience by reintegrating nature into urban life. However, deeper change is needed—one that challenges the divide between humans and nature, which underlies many environmental and social injustices. This Sustainability Dialogue explores how we might build ecologically smart cities by rethinking this relationship.
But is imagination truly free from what happens around us? Or are our futures controlled by powerful interests and conflicts? Informed by the new book Captured Futures we will also discuss whether cultural shifts—not conventional politics—are key to transformative change. You are welcome to join us in this interdisciplinary conversation!
Pathways to Sustainability Team |
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Sustainability Dialogues - 27 May & 16 June |
27 May: Break the divide between nature and people - Can we have ecologically smart cities? |
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Join us in this interdisciplinary discussion! Cities around the world face the growing challenge of maintaining a healthy balance between their development and the natural environment. To address these challenges, urban planners often use the concept of smart cities. At the same time, there is a broad push to bring nature back into cities, often in the form of Nature-Based Solutions (NBS).
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NBS are crucial for creating a healthy and resilient environment/living space for people, animals and plants. As part of this approach, there is also a drive to review the ontology of the divide between humans and nature, which assumes that ‘humans’ are fundamentally different from and superior to ‘nature’, contributing to environmental and social injustices. During this dialogue, we will focus on the question: Can we break the divide between nature and people and have ecologically smart cities? |
16 June: Captured Futures – Rethinking the Drama of Environmental Politics |
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'It is time to admit, environmental politics as we know it cannot deliver'. When Hajer & Oomen wrote the first sentence of the book, they had no idea how this would resonate. When they suggested that Geo-engineering is the logical next act if we do not break out of the ‘dramaturgical regime’ of ecological modernization, some thought it farfetched. But, one year later, they see only more evidence for our argument.
We warmly invite you for the book launch ' Captured Futures', and a sustainability dialogue around themes of this book. Environmental politics, the authors argue, is a drama captured by the political rules according to which it is performed. And we as academics, play a role in this drama as well. |
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Dramaturgical and discursive conventions determine how issues are defined and discussed in contemporary environmental politics, what scientific knowledge is mobilized, how decisions are made, but, because of their theatrical quality, also determine how politics is reported on in the media. More information about the programme is yet to be announced, but you can already save the date or register for this event! |
THIS IS NOT A TRIAL - A theatrical experiment on justice in times of ecological crisis |
THIS IS NOT A TRIAL is a theatrical experiment that invites you to become part of the urgent conversation on how can we, as a society can assign accountability for environmental destruction. In a fictional future where ecocide has been incorporated into criminal law, a groundbreaking trial takes place. |
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On 18 and 19 June a group of artists, actors and students from Utrecht University will stage a fictional trial at the in ZIMIHC theater Stefanus in Utrecht (Overvecht) and you will be the jury. Are you interested in participating in this theater experiment? Read more and register on our website. |
Do you have an idea for a transdisciplinary, challenge-based project? It is very easy to apply for funding!
The Incubator Grant (8k) is our funding instrument that aims to invest in community building, by offering interdisciplinary teams the opportunity to collaborate on innovative transdisciplinary ideas. |
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During the Incubator process, we guide and support teams in the further development of their consortia and ideas. Incubator teams may prepare applications for subsequent Signature Project Grant (50-150k for a maximum period of 24 months).
For the 2025 application round, we invite teams to send in their idea by 26 May. Successfully pre-selected Incubators will take center stage during the Kickstarter workshop on 16 October. The selected Incubator teams will be assisted in targeting participants (UU colleagues and external stakeholders) for the Kickstarter workshop sessions. This event will offer an opportunity for co-creation and to build your project team, as we believe that such an open process is key to transformative learning. |
Visiting Fellows - Research Stay in Montpellier
Application deadline: 30 June
The University of Montpellier has launched a call for applications for the "Visiting Fellowship" programme. In 2026, scholars from UU are invited to spend several months in Montpellier to work on the governance of transitions.
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These colleagues were spotted in the media (most items are in Dutch): - Niko Wanders on AD.nl: Grote natuurbranden als bij Ede zijn eigenlijk iets voor de zomer: ‘We hebben flinke regen nodig’.
- Marjolijn Haasnoot on Vroege Vogels (37:30-49:25): Over het belang van haar leerstoel dat zich richt op klimaatadaptatie.
- Erik van Sebille at Studium Generale: Hoe activistisch mag een wetenschapper zijn?
- Jan Dirk Fijnheer on RTV Utrecht.nl: Wat doet deze klok op Hoog Catharijne?
- René van Westen on Kijkmagazine.nl: Golfstroom zal toch niet volledig instorten, maar wel enorm afzwakken.
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Monday 12 May, 15:15-17:15, Utrecht University Hall
Symposium: Big Tech, AI & Energy Futures
Wednesday 14 May, 19:30-21:00, location to be determined
Documentary Screening: Dead Zones
Monday 19 May, 13:00-16:00, location t.b.a.
Co-creation session "UU's digital carbon footprint"
Monday 19 May, 13:30-18:00, Achter Sint Pieter 200 Utrecht
Circularity on the Move: Stricter rules, More Circularity?
19-20 May, Utrecht Science Park
Pilot: Transdisciplinary Competencies course
Wednesday 21 May, 15:30-16:30, Utrecht University Library City Centre
Platform Earth: The Role of Big Tech in the Climate Crisis
Tuesday 27 May, 15:00-16:30, Vening Meinesz C, Playground
Sustainability Dialogue: Break the divide between nature and people - Can we have ecologically smart cities?
Tuesday 27 May, 16:00-18:00, Jaarbeurs Beatrixgebouw
Climate exam
Tuesday 3 June, 9:30-18:00, Naturalis Biodiversity Center National
National Ocean Science Conference
5-6 June, Middelburg
2025 Policy Workshop “The Montreal Moment”
Thursday 5 June, 20:00-22:30, Social Impact Factory Utrecht
Seeds of Better Futures
Friday 6 June, 10:00-16:30, Social Impact Factory Utrecht
Ruling in nature-based solutions: What's law got to do with it?
Thursday 12 June, 9:00-13:00, Bestuursgebouw USP
Advanced media training (UU only)
Monday 16 June, 15:30-18:00, Social Impact Factory Utrecht
Sustainability Dialogue and book launch
16-20 June, Online
Join the Food Knowledge Week - Save the Date
18 & 19 June, 20:00-21:30, ZIMIHC theater Stefanus
THIS IS NOT A TRIAL - A theatrical experiment on justice in times of ecological crisis
Tuesday 24 June, 15:30-17:00, location t.b.a.
S4S Café - Gaming for Sustainability
Wednesday 3 September, 12:30-16:00, Athens Greece
Seminar: Environmental Crime, Policing & Social Control
Thursday 25 September, 9:30-21:00, Johanna Hudig building
Workshop: Existential Risk in the Netherlands. A New Field of Study?
9-10 October, Egmond aan Zee
UU-NIOZ Early Career Scientist Symposium (UNECSS) 2025
Thursday 16 October, 14:00 to 18:00, location t.b.a.
Pathways to Sustainability Kickstarter workshop |
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