• A positive impact on the transition to a sustainable society

     We develop excellent and relevant knowledge, collaborating with citizens, politicians, policy makers, NGOs and firms to learn from each other and influence decision-making.
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  • Photos of sprouting shoots

    Cutting edge interdisciplinary research

     Our signature cross-topical themes—governance, modelling and transitions—cover central aspects of sustainability research and policy. Our five sustainability challenges, which include circular economy, energy, food, land and water, highlight our research strengths.
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  • Five research sections

     Our 260 researchers have a home in one of five research sections: Environmental Governance, Environmental Sciences, Innovation Studies, Energy & Resources and the Urban Futures Studio. Together we are the Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development.
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  • Come and study Global Sustainability Science!

    Transformative education

     Society faces a multitude of complex sustainability challenges which require new ways of thinking and doing. We educate the change agents of the future through our two Bachelor's and six Master's programmes.
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Explore our research

  • News

    • Registration Open Now!!! – Conference & Summit 2024 – Call for Abstracts Closed

      News
      IoS Fair Transitions Platform & LANDac
      Conference & Summit 2024
      Registration Open Now!!!
      Call for Abstracts Closed

    • Sustainable Belonging in a Migratory World

      Opinion
      From most people’s gut perspective, belonging is rooted in a kind of from-ness. Like a tree, you are rooted in a place. Though it’s not easily admitted in liberal society, one’s rootedness is usually detected by skin colour and facial features. Even amongst the most welcoming of insiders, there is an unspoken assumption that those here first get to decide how things ought to be. On a secondary level, cultural behaviour confers belonging. “Okay, their grandparents aren’t from here, but at least they get our way of life.”​​​​​​​ But what is this “our” anyway?​​​​​​​

    • What if the university would empower indigenous communities?

      Opinion
      How could the university move from recognizing, to revitalizing indigenous knowledge and culture? Blog by Lisette van Beek
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  • Events

    • 29 Apr

      Dr. Susanne Knittel

      to
      Please join us in rethinking the future of open and fair societies. We are excited to present Dr. Susanne Knittel as our next speaker for our Fair Transitions' seminar series, Rethinking the Margins. (An initiative of the IOS Fair Transitions platform)
    • 6 May

      Info-session: Navigating Insecure Futures (Ba)

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      Political polarisation, global inequality, and climatic crises - how do we navigate our insecure future? Learn more about this BA honours programme.
    • 14 May

      Info-session honours programme Descartes College (Ba)

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      More information about the two-year, university-wide BA honours programme.
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