We need to move beyond an understanding of sustainability narrowly focused on technology and solutions
The urgent planetary problem of sustainability can only be tackled if all disciplines are involved from their diverse research perspectives and skill sets. A transition to a sustainable society is critical if we are to avoid irreparable ecological, social, and economic damage. How to effect change and how to reflect upon what kind of change is needed, is a major challenge. To take on this challenge, we need to move beyond an understanding of sustainability narrowly focused on technology and solutions and ask questions about social and cultural norms, political power relations, and global inequalities.
Critical Pathways is part of the strategic theme Pathways to Sustainability and aims to strengthen the involvement of Social Sciences, Law and Humanities scholars in sustainability research and foster collaborations across all faculties. Together with its members and partners, Critical Pathways aims to analyse power dynamics within a sustainability context at local, regional, and global levels. The community works towards a broadening of academic discourse on sustainability by endorsing initiatives that seek to amplify the voices of marginalised human groups, as well as giving a voice to ecosystems and the more-than-human.
Pathways to Sustainability
Critical Pathways is one of the communities within Pathways to Sustainability, a strategic theme of Utrecht University.
Excellent researchers from the humanities, social and natural sciences work together with external partners to develop a more sustainable society.