Dialog
Dialog with the public is one of the University of Basel’s core responsibilities - one that is especially important in the context of sustainable development and the climate crisis. Therefore a number of engaging events focusing on sustainability topics took place in recent years. University researchers have also frequently brought their expertise to the media, publications and various networks.
Science in public dialog
Since 2022, the University of Basel has been a main partner in the Klimaplattform der Wirtschaft Region Basel, a network of companies and public institutions for sustainable business and effective climate protection. The university’s main representative in the group is the research network Sustainable Future. The university and other partners work together to motivate and implement environmental protection measures in the region.
Dialog between academia and society in the area of sustainability leads to a better understanding of scientific findings and practical engagement of science with societal challenges, in order to be able to develop holistic solutions together.
Dr. Annika Sohre, Director of the Sustainable Future research network
Numerous events on sustainability were held in 2021 and 2022 with the participation of the University of Basel. A selection can be found in the image gallery:
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At the 24th Business Lunch of the Klimaplattform der Wirtschaft Region Basel, the role of hydrogen in climate protection and security of supply was highlighted. Prof. Frank Krysiak answered questions from a scientific perspective. (Photo: © Marc Gilgen; Courtesy of Klimaplattform der Wirtschaft Region Basel)link.zoom -
In 2022, the Sustainability Office of the University of Basel celebrated its 10th anniversary. (Photo: © Ivo Bosshard)link.zoom -
The winners of the most prestigious international environmental awards were invited to Basel for the Environmental Convention. They presented their projects and discussed with students and alumni of the Master's Degree in Sustainable Development. (Photo: © sun21)link.zoom -
At the plenary conference celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Nordwestschweizer Regierungskonferenz in June 2021, president Andrea Schenker-Wicki gave an input presentation on the responsibility of universities in the climate crisis. (Photo: © Kostas Maros)link.zoom -
As part of the Brown Bag Talks at the University of Basel, Prof. Ruth Delzeit gave a presentation on "Food or fuel? How the EU impacts on global land use". (Photo: © Sustainability Office, University of Basel)link.zoom -
September 2021 marked the end of the project SCCER CREST (Competence Center for Research in Energy, Society and Transition), which was celebrated with a final conference. (Image: © University of Basel)link.zoom -
Dr. Reto Burkard of the FOEN gave a presentation on "Climate Change as a Challenge for Society" as part of the University of Basel's Brown Bag Talks. (Image: © Sustainability Office, University of Basel)link.zoom -
Prof. Rui Mata's (Faculty of Psychology) SDG Hackathon brought together participants who used data visualization methods to gain insights into the Swiss research landscape in relation to the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals. (Figure: © Tianlin Liu)link.zoom -
As part of Earth Overshoot Day, Dr. Mathis Wackernagel (President of the Global Footprint Network) and Prof. Dr. Aya Kachi (Professor of International Political Economy and Energy Policy, University of Basel) talked about their personal motivation to dedicate themselves to this topic professionally and what they have learned from their successes and failures. (Image: © Sustainability Office, University of Basel)link.zoom -
In the Future Dialog on Sustainability, visions for a sustainable mobility were drafted and discussed with researchers from the University of Basel, experts from business, administration and society. (Image: © Reasearch Network Sustainable Future, University of Basel)link.zoom -
The researsch network Sustainable Future organized a workshop together with the Swiss Alpine Club SAC, the Foundation for Landscape Protection and Mountain Wilderness Switzerland ("Alliance for Alpine Open Spaces"). (Photo: © Swiss Alpine Club,)link.zoom -
An evening with input from experts from the University of Basel and IWB, followed by a discussion. (Image: © Sustainability Office, University of Basel).link.zoom -
As part of the exhibition "Territories of Waste" at the Museum Tinguely, Prof. Patricia Holm gave a lecture on "Microplastics in the Rhine. Findings of science and open questions". (Image: © Museum Tinguely)link.zoom -
Café International takes place four times a year, making the aspect of "Intercultural Challenges and Resources" a topic at the University of Basel in a varied way. (Image: © University of Basel)link.zoom
In the media
Sustainable projects and university researchers’ expertise appeared in various regional and national media outlets. In an interview with the Basler Zeitung, psychology professor Ulf Hahnel explains why we want to fight climate change and yet do nothing about it. In the SRF program Kulturplatz, the benefits of green roofs are presented (from min. 11:58), showing the example of a project at the University of Basel building, which was initiated by students.
In addition, two videos with a focus on sustainability were published as part of the university’s “Ask Our Expert” video series.
Publications
Researchers at the University of Basel have published a number of papers in order to provide precise information for decision makers and the public on topics related to sustainability. In connection with the national center of excellence SCCER CREST, which was active until 2021, white papers on “Scenarios and perspectives in energy politics” (German only) and “Energy efficiency programs” (German only) were published. In the past two years, there have been numerous publications from the Sustainable Future research network in the areas of energy and climate, geobiodiversity and the sustainable digital world. As part of the IMPACT Stories, the role of higher education institutions (HEIs) in promoting sustainable development was discussed at the Swiss Tropical Institute (Swiss TPH): “Organizations that bring science to impact – new actors for sustainable development?”.
Memberships and partnerships
Networks and partnerships are an important aspect of the university’s engagement in public dialog and transdisciplinary collaborations. In addition to the sponsorship of the "Klimaplattform der Wirtschaft Region Basel", the Sustainability Office also worked with the “Working Group on Sustainability Reporting” of the International Sustainable Campus Network (ISCN), which the university joined back in 2020. In connection with the University of Basel’s membership in “Eucor – The European Campus,” university representatives also participated in the “Sustainability Working Group of the Eucor City Network” in order to strengthen dialog on sustainability between the partner cities and universities.
Goals & actions
Increase the visibility of research on sustainable development and strengthen international and regional dialog
Hold the “Future Dialog” event series and additional public events to increase dialog with politics, business and civil society
Cooperate and participate in shared sustainability activities with the trinational Eucor alliance; dialog in connection with the Klimaplattform der Wirtschaft Region Basel
Managing Director of the research network Sustainable Future
Research network Sustainable Future
Sustainability Office
Firmly establish students’ Sustainability Week at the University of Basel
Hold Sustainability Week Basel 2023 and 2024 with the support of the Sustainability Office
AG Nachhaltigkeit
Greater visibility of sustainability-related issues at the University of Basel for staff and students
Hold at least one public event per semester on one of the Sustainability Report's key topics
Sustainability Office
Greater visibility of sustainability-related issues at the University of Basel for staff and students
Communicate eight UniNews articles per year on sustainability-related topics
Sustainability Office
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