Our approach to research collaboration
Research plays an important role in society's transition towards sustainable development. When researchers and stakeholders from different sectors of society come together, bringing diverse knowledge and experience, new opportunities emerge to discover connections, challenge established ways of thinking and explore new paths forward.
Wexsus aims to develop research collaborations that address pressing sustainability challenges in West Sweden. By bringing together researchers from different disciplines and universities with stakeholders from across society, we seek to contribute to new knowledge, fresh perspectives and collaborations that can make a difference to the region's sustainability transition.
By West Sweden, we mean the provinces of Bohuslän, Dalsland and Västergötland. This region encompasses a wide variety of natural environments, urban and rural areas, a diverse economy with a significant industrial sector, and several universities. It faces many of the sustainability challenges relevant to Sweden and the wider world, while also having its own distinct conditions and challenges. Developments in West Sweden both influence and are influenced by developments elsewhere in the world.
Sustainability challenges can rarely be understood from a single perspective. Environmental, social and economic conditions are interconnected, and different courses of action can present both opportunities and trade-offs. Wexsus therefore seeks to support research collaborations that bring together different forms of knowledge and experience, question established assumptions and give rise to new research questions.
Our principles for research collaboration
To contribute to the transition towards sustainable development, our approach to research collaboration is guided by four fundamental principles. These guide our efforts to connect research and society, develop new knowledge and explore the opportunities that a sustainability transition can offer.
- West Sweden's sustainability challenges are our starting point
We identify and highlight pressing sustainability challenges in the region through close collaboration with public sector organisations. - A holistic perspective provides deeper understanding
We explore environmental, social and economic interconnections, trade-offs and synergies, as well as implications for different groups, places and generations. We also consider questions of power and distribution. - Diverse knowledge and perspectives are essential
We bring together researchers from different disciplines and stakeholders from across society to challenge assumptions, examine issues from multiple perspectives and identify knowledge gaps. - Understanding the mechanisms of sustainability transitions
We aim to bring together researchers from different disciplines and universities to develop knowledge about the drivers, barriers and mechanisms of sustainability transitions, and explore how research can contribute to change.
Current offer
We are looking for researchers from a wide range of disciplines for Wexsus AIMday: Planning for resilience
Long-term opportunities
We gather real sustainability challenges from our partners and explore new ways for research to contribute to society's sustainability transition. With five universities involved in Wexsus, we see many exciting opportunities. Would you like to help explore and test new approaches to collaboration?
We'd love to hear from you!