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Innovation Systems,
Social and
Ecological Change
General description
The objective of the
specialisation on “Innovation Systems, Social and Ecological Change” is
to stimulate a rethinking of sustainable development from the
perspective of the globalising learning economy.
Theses
topics can be formulated within three interdependent themes:
Theme
1: Innovation Systems and Sustainable Development
The first theme emphasizes the innovation systems approach and its
relevance to processes of social and ecological change. The central
concepts of social and institutional learning and co-evolution of
technology and institutions is discussed and related to various types of
innovation systems.
Theme
2: Ecological Change - Experiences from Greening of Industry, Organic
Farming and Energy Production
This theme will discuss actual problems and dilemmas related to
social and ecological change in selected cases within implementation of
cleaner technology in industry, organic farming and food production and
energy production.
Theme
3: Green Innovation Policy, Public Participation, and Environmental
Impact Assessment
This theme focuses on the shifting "discourse" of environmental
policy over the past ten to fifteen years - from a sectoral orientation
to an ever more integrated and all encompassing strategy of ecological
modernisation. Various green innovation policy instruments are discussed
from a policy learning perspective.
Examples of thesis
·
“Proposal for a
Structural and Institutional Design for the Development of Organic
Farming Technology in
·
“Challenges for Food
Security in
·
“Conscious
Participation: Towards Sustainable Energy Co-operation?” by Gwen Bingle.
·
“Ecological
Experimental Areas - A theoretical and practical assessment” by Hilde
Madsø Jacobsen.
·
“Social Shaping of
Organic Labelling - Comparative Case Studies of
· “Proximity and Green Product Innovation” by Pia Heike Johansen
· “The learning Culture” by Jørgen Thorkildsen Helland
·
“The problematization
of urban sprawl in the
·
“Natural Gas Ferries
in
·
“Passive houses in
Schedule of introductory course
The first period (February to April) serves as introductions to the
specialisation area in order to stimulate the formulation of appropriate
project topics for the master thesis. The introduction module provides
students with:
·
Insight in core literature within the specialisation
·
Insight in current debates and issues (academic as well as
political)
·
Insight into various research methodologies related to the
specialisation
·
A background to formulate a thesis outline
The teaching method is a mixture of lectures and student seminar presentations. A number of thesis seminars give students an opportunity to present the progressing thesis work and to get respond from the student group, supervisors, and other "ESST-related" people. It is also possible to participate in lectures and seminars in other international (and Danish) study programmes as well as research seminars organised by the related research groups.
Language of instruction
English
Minimum and maximum number of students
3-8
Related research groups/staff
The specialisation (including thesis supervision) is conducted in
collaboration between three research groups:
Department of Business Studies.
The IKE Group does research on
economic, technical and institutional change. The main research themes
include economic evolutionary modelling, theory of the firm, national
systems of innovation, international trade and competitiveness and the
interplay between economic and ecological issues.
Department om Development and Planning, various research groups
Research is focused on improving the understanding of changes in
technology, production and energy, as well as the social conditions and
obstacles for sustainable environment and energy development. The goal
of the research is to create clarity on public as well as organisations
technological and environmental change nationally and internationality
and the social consequences of this.
The
research group on Economics, Business and Politics
Department of Economics, Politics and Public Administration,
The research group focuses on social use of, and interaction with,
nature and especially on the related transformational processes.
Contact person
Birgitte Gregersen (ESST coordinator)
Department of Business Studies
Fibigerstraede 4
DK-9220 Aalborg
O
Denmark
Email:
bg@business.aau.dk
Phone: +45 9940 8260
Fax: +45 9815 3505
Web sites
Aalborg University International Office for information about accommodation
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