• 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?​​​​​​​

    • Two PhD Candidates to Montpellier for a unique learning journey

      News
      Two PhD Candidates from Utrecht University, Clara Colonna (Agri-food Law) and Sara Ramezani (Urban Planning), embarked on a unique learning journey in Montpellier, south France.
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  • Events

    • 29 Apr

      Dr. Susanne Knittel

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      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)
    • 29 Apr

      General Honours Info-session (MA)

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      Push academic boundaries and honour your curiosity with the UU Honours College.
    • 30 Apr

      Honours Info-session: Graduate Honours Interdisciplinary Seminars (MA)

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      Master’s students looking for an explorative academic challenge can participate in the extracurricular honours programme Graduate Honours Interdisciplinary Seminars (GHIS).
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