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Sustainability Transfer as a Concept for Universities in Regional Transformation—A Case Study

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  • Uwe Demele

    (Research Center [Sustainability–Transformation–Transfer], Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development, Schicklerstr. 5, 16225 Eberswalde, Germany)

  • Benjamin Nölting

    (Research Center [Sustainability–Transformation–Transfer], Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development, Schicklerstr. 5, 16225 Eberswalde, Germany)

  • Wibke Crewett

    (Research Center [Sustainability–Transformation–Transfer], Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development, Schicklerstr. 5, 16225 Eberswalde, Germany)

  • Georgi Georgiev

    (Research Center [Sustainability–Transformation–Transfer], Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development, Schicklerstr. 5, 16225 Eberswalde, Germany)

Abstract

The research object of this study is the in-depth discourse on the sustainability transfer activities of higher education institutions (HEIs) and their contribution to a regional sustainable transformation. For this purpose, a heuristically-derived concept of sustainability transfer is empirically tested with a mixed-methods approach based on the example of Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development (HNEE). The empirical findings demonstrate that the realization of sustainability transfer depends mainly on the personal initiative of teachers and researchers. Major barriers are a lack of time and financial resources. The observed concept of sustainability transfer is applicable to all study and research areas of HNEE. Involvement in sustainability transfer can include the whole of society, from politics, enterprises, and civil society to education and research institutions. Overall, the empirical testing of the concept offered by this study illustrates its practical suitability to capturing specifically those sustainability transfer activities that are not tapped by third mission approaches. This opens up a novel dimension for transfer potential at universities and their role in regional sustainability transformation. It also highlights that the interdependencies between HEIs and practitioners need to be more contextualized with quality criteria such as the value of the transfer performance or level of ambition.

Suggested Citation

  • Uwe Demele & Benjamin Nölting & Wibke Crewett & Georgi Georgiev, 2021. "Sustainability Transfer as a Concept for Universities in Regional Transformation—A Case Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-25, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:9:p:4956-:d:545407
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Helga Nowotny, 2003. "Democratising expertise and socially robust knowledge," Science and Public Policy, Oxford University Press, vol. 30(3), pages 151-156, June.
    2. Benjamin Nölting & Heike Molitor & Julian Reimann & Jan-Hendrik Skroblin & Nadine Dembski, 2020. "Transfer for Sustainable Development at Higher Education Institutions—Untapped Potential for Education for Sustainable Development and for Societal Transformation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-21, April.
    3. Schiller, Daniel & Kanning, Helga & Pflitsch, Gesa & Radinger-Peer, Verena & Freytag, Tim, 2020. "Hochschulen als Agenten des Wandels für eine nachhaltige Regionalentwicklung? Hochschulen und nachhaltige Regionalentwicklung aus der Transition-Perspektive," Forschungsberichte der ARL: Aufsätze, in: Postlep, Rolf-Dieter & Blume, Lorenz & Hülz, Martina (ed.), Hochschulen und ihr Beitrag für eine nachhaltige Regionalentwicklung, volume 11, pages 119-176, ARL – Akademie für Raumentwicklung in der Leibniz-Gemeinschaft.
    4. Gregory Trencher & Masaru Yarime & Kes B. McCormick & Christopher N. H. Doll & Steven B. Kraines, 2014. "Beyond the third mission: Exploring the emerging university function of co-creation for sustainability," Science and Public Policy, Oxford University Press, vol. 41(2), pages 151-179.
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