Lectoraat van Creatieve economie / Duurzaamheid en circulariteit / Gezonde en inclusieve samenleving / Enabling technologies / Toekomst van leren
Circular Transition
The Circular Transition Professorship is a part of the Centre of Expertise Sustainable & Circular Transitions. It leads the research on complex research questions in the field of circular and sustainability transitions of importance for improving the professional practice and educational programmes and leads to new knowledge creation.
About the Professorship
The Professorship conducts practice-oriented (applied) research into complex sustainability and circular transition issues by using system thinking and a multi-level/multi-stakeholder integral approach to economic, societal and environmental aspects of sustainability.
The Professorship strives to conduct impactful research that adds value to all our stakeholders through the improvement of the professional practice, quality of the educational programmes, regional transition ambitions and policy making process. Ultimately the Professorship strives to provide contribution to new knowledge creation, to the regional development, scaling up of circular and sustainable transitions and broad social welfare.
The improvement of the sustainability of businesses, as key actors in transitions, is critically important and has the potential to enable faster progress towards a more sustainable future. The Professorship has the ambition to lead the applied research on the topic of assessing the impact and managing the integral value (economic, societal and environmental) created by companies. The research will deliver new insights, and practical tools and methodologies that support the assessment of impact of companies (societal and environmental value creation/destruction) (1) and further integrate this information in the decision making process in companies so it would lead to the integral value creation in the long run (2) and enable communication and cooperation with stakeholders and sustainability reporting (3). Research is focused on the design and balanced, dynamic use of mechanisms and tools that control, enable and drive the desirable behaviour. They also help dealing with complex trade-offs in the process of simultaneous optimization of financial, social and environmental value and impact along the entire supply chain, using a long term horizon and dynamic approach.
Figure 1 Key research topics and questions of CT
The Professorship focuses on the industries and sustainability challenges in the Southern part of the Netherlands and aligns with the focus of the Strategic Knowledge Innovation Agenda and Top sectors, with the special interest in manufacturing and high-tech companies. In addition, interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research approach is used for circular and sustainability transitions issues. Knowledge development, updating the educational offer of the Fontys courses and knowledge development for the professionalization of teachers in the field of circular and sustainable transitions also play an important role. Finally, the Professorship will work on disseminating knowledge about circular and sustainable transitions through publications, case studies, lectures and workshops etc. in the relevant knowledge domain.
The Circular Transitions Professorship uses an interdisciplinary, transdisciplinary research approach and integrates social, environmental, financial and technical perspective to explore societal issues and the ways that companies can increase their positive impact (social and environmental value created). The Professorship aspires to create hybrid learning environments, where enthusiastic students, teachers, researchers, local government, communities and companies can think along and collaboratively learn and co-create next steps in circular and sustainability transitions.
Podcast
"Give more than you take". How does that work? Yvonne van Lith talks to the stakeholders involved about the transition from disposable to reusable food packaging. Podcast #14 is part of the podcast series 'De Circulaire Sprong''. '.
Tools
De Circulaire Atlas
In this atlas we show successful examples of circular pioneers in North Brabant.
Toolkit Circulair Ondernemen
This toolkit is for SMEs that want to take steps towards circular entrepreneurship.
Boundary Tool
This process tool helps to initiate stakeholder collaboration for circular business model innovation.
Research Projects
CoLLidE
About the transition from single-use to reusable packaging.
Transition Hub - Energy
Creating physical places to solve problems surrounding energy transition.
De Circulaire Sprong
Accelerate the circular transition by connecting knowledge about behaviour, technology and economy.
Moral Food Game
Enriches the discussion about new forms of food production.
Circular & Biobased construction
Stimulating the use of circular/biobased raw materials and tools.
Lector
Dr. Biljana Pesalj has international experience in teaching, curriculum development, securing grants, and research as a senior lecturer at Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences. She has made a name for herself as a PhD-level senior researcher in both higher and scientific education, where she has published several works. Her research expertise is primarily in the fields of sustainability transitions, management accounting, and performance management.
Biljana is broadly oriented both socially and scientifically, with a critical perspective on existing methodologies combined with a drive to innovate where it is meaningful. She has a large national network focused on sustainability and a proven track record in linking research and education.
Knowledge Team
Publications
- Hairwassers, Jeroen. Podcast: Transition Tuesday Tilburg, Fontys Tilburg, March 12 2024.
- Nederstigt, Jeske. Hoog Catharijne geteisterd door winkeldieven, maar waarom stelen ze? ‘Het lijkt de sociale norm’, AD, February 13 2024.
- Pieterse, Jos. Hubs moeten haperende energietransitie aanwakkeren, BRON, February 7 2024.
- Nederstigt, Jeske. Bied groene alternatieven voor de consument, BRON, February 2 2024.
- Nederstigt, Jeske., Hoe voorkom je winkeldiefstallen?, NOS 1Vandaag, January 3 2024.
