This chair is part of a collaborative initiative between the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) and the Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB) under the auspices of SWIFFT (Sustainable World Initiative & Fellowship for Transformation) (https://www.swifft.be/). The Chair is situated within the VUB-HOST and ULB departments, working closely with Professors Cathy Macharis (VUB) and Wouter Achten (ULB).

The PhD candidate will conduct research within the framework of Pluriversal Thinking for Sustainability. They will work on research questions within one or more of the three axes of the Chair (see infra).

The Chair will lead pioneering research that addresses the evolving dynamics of scientific practices within ecological, social, and institutional contexts. This position is integral to exploring the following key research questions within the axes of:

• Reimagining Knowledge: How does the knowledge necessary for driving sustainable transformation differ from the knowledge that has contributed to the current systemic and climate crises? The Chair will explore and develop theoretical and practical approaches that examine the roles, power structures, and influence of various forms of scientific knowledge in sustainability transitions.

• Redefining Value: the academic environment is highly competitive and metrics driven, which do not capture all forms of knowledge creation and transfer, or societal or transformation impact, and which might put pressure on well-being. How could a wider range of academic work be evaluated? And, how can well-being be enhanced through new ways to value academic work, impact. And, how could these valuations change the underlying structures.

• Rethinking Universities: How can the role of public institutions such as universities reshape to contribute more frontally to socio-environmental dynamics and transformations. And, inversely, how can emerging socio-environmental transformations reshape the role of public institutions such as universities?

Further information: here