Apply for the Transformative Research for Sustainability Challenges 2027 course
PhD candidates can now apply for the 2-week Transformative Research for Sustainability Challenges PhD course, running February 22 – March 5, 2027 at Utrecht University. Do you want to learn exciting concepts and methods to enhance the potential of your research to beneficially contribute to society and the environment? Send your application before 27 September 2026.
Scope
“Transformative Research for Sustainability Challenges” provides PhD candidates with exciting concepts and methods to enhance the potential of their research to beneficially contribute to society and the environment. Participants are guided through a process designed to surface and examine fundamental assumptions that underpin their research approaches, to inspire future trajectories both within and beyond their PhD. This course is taught by a range of scholars in Wageningen University & Research (WUR), Utrecht University (UU), University of Twente (UT), and Stockholm Resilience Centre (SRC), who will guide students through critical concepts, methodological innovations, and tricky dilemmas that have challenged and enabled their own work. The course content focuses on four main aspects of transformative research identified in the 71 Visions Report. This course received an Education Innovation Award in 2021, and is supported by WIMEK and the Urban Futures Studio.
Learning goals
After the course, students should be able to:
- Explore different approaches to transformative research in case studies that aim to bring about just and sustainable futures
- Develop skills to evaluate how key aspects of research design, implementation, analysis and communication affect the contribution of research to addressing sustainability challenges
- Build knowledge, confidence and ability to apply transformative processes /methods in your own present and future research and navigate emerging challenges to maximize its beneficial impacts
- Connect with a growing network of diverse researchers to further your inspiration and capability to undertake transformative research in collaboration with others.
Assumed knowledge
No previous knowledge is assumed. All who are enrolled as a doctoral candidate (at any university) at the time of this course are welcome to apply.
Outline of the course
The introduction to the course is split across two half-days to explore: what is “transformative research", and what roles does it entail? This will be followed by four full-day trainings, and one final day of harvesting collective insights. The course involves the following main components:
- Lectures and dynamic exercises that explore transformative concepts and methods, delivered by a broad range of scholars undertaking transformative approaches in their research
- In-depth engagement with novel case studies that involve diverse societal actors to transform possible futures
- Crafting of your own personal narrative of how your research can contribute to just and sustainable futures
- Participation in peer-to-peer learning sessions and walks
- Home study (readings, videos, writing) in between sessions
- Informal social interactions with peers and teaching team
Lecturers
Josephine Chambers (UU)
Esther Turnhout (UT)
Maria Tengo (SRC)
Jeanne Nel (WUR)
Anouk de Plaa (WUR)
Esha Shah (WUR)
Jessica Duncan (WUR)
Marja Spierenburg (LU)
Jonas Colen Torrens (UU)
Jillian Student (WUR)
General information
Course includes: Course + course materials + lunch + coffee and tea The fee also covers opening drinks and one course dinner. The course fee does not include travel, accommodation and all other meals. We will share details on affordable accommodation.
Participant selection
Note that we are aiming for a diverse group of PhD candidates and have a maximum of 35 participants; hence, places for the course will be decided based on the motivation of the PhD candidate when registering, and a good balance in disciplinary backgrounds. We will select participants based on 1) the diversity of interested PhD candidates, such as in terms of scientific background, research focus, and institute and 2) on the answers to the following questions in the registration form:
- Why do you want to take this specific course? And why now? (max 250 words)
- What does 'transformative research' mean to you? (max 250 words)
We will contact you on the outcome of the selection procedure by the end October 2026. Please note that after being selected for the course, your registration becomes final, which means that payment of the course fee will be required, and the cancellation policy will apply.
Additional information
Credit points: 3
Language: English
Group size: 15-35 participants
Fee
| PhD candidates from WUR, UU, UT, LU and Stockholm Resilience Centre | 440 euro |
| Other PhDs | 490 euro |
The course fee includes lunches, coffee and tea, one dinner and opening drinks
Cancellation conditions
- Up to 10 (ten) weeks prior to the start of the course, cancellation is free of charge.
- Up to 6 (six) weeks prior to the start of the course, a fee of 50% will be charged.
- Up to 4 (four) weeks prior to the start of the course, the full fee will be charged.
Note: If you would like to cancel your registration, ALWAYS inform us. Also note that when there are not enough participants, we can cancel the course. We will inform you if this is the case a week after the registration deadline. Please take this into account when arranging your trip to the course (i.e., check the reimbursement policies).