Innovation Systems, Social and Ecological Change
(This specialisation is NOT running during 2022-2023)
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 Mexico” by Laura Gómez Tovar.
· “Challenges for Food Security in Sahel: Organic Agriculture as a Proposal” by Marie Thérèse Yaba N’Diaye
· “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 Denmark and Switzerland” by Saki Ichihara.
· “Proximity and Green Product Innovation” by Pia Heike Johansen
· “The learning Culture” by Jørgen Thorkildsen Helland
· “The problematization of urban sprawl in the United States” by John Chang
· “Natural Gas Ferries in Norway” by Benjamin Myklebust
· “Passive houses in Norway” by Andreas Halse
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 group. The specialisation semester “Innovation Systems, Social and Ecological Change” is conducted in conjunction with the MSc. program in Innovation, Knowledge and Entrepreneurial Dynamics (MIKE-B).
Language of instruction: English
Minimum and maximum number of students: 2-8
Related research groups/staff
The specialisation (including thesis supervision) is conducted in collaboration with the IKE research group, Department of Business and Management. The IKE Group was established in 1977 and gradually evolved into a long-term research program in innovation and industrial dynamics. The focus of the research group is on innovation, knowledge and economic dynamics at different levels of aggregation. Common for the approach is that economic development is seen as knowledge driven and that knowledge creation and innovation are seen as reflecting processes of interactive learning within systemic frameworks. The group has made major contributions to the innovation system and the learning of economic concepts.
Contact person
Birgitte Gregersen (ESST coordinator)
Aalborg University
Department of Business and Management
Fibigerstraede 2
DK-9220 Aalborg O
Denmark
Email: bg@business.aau.dk
Phone: +45 9940 8260
Web sites
Aalborg University
Department of Business and Management
IKE Group
MIKE programme
How to apply
Aalborg University International Accommodation Office
Visit Aalborg