In order to support the University's efforts in the field of sustainability, representatives from all six Schools have founded a new academic centre: the "Centre for Transformations and Sustainable Futures" (TRUST@UOL). Its purpose is to promote inter- and transdisciplinary approaches and dialogue.
The aim is to bundle activities and create synergies in order to continue the successful work of the Center for Environmental and Sustainability Research (COAST), which was founded in 2004. The new centre focuses in particular on a modern organisational structure. Ongoing research projects, teaching modules and co-operations will be further advanced and new projects initiated.
"We are pooling approaches and resources for environmentally-oriented research and teaching and emphasising the university's focus on sustainability both nationally and internationally," said Centre Director and Professor of Information Systems Jorge Marx Gómez at the opening ceremony for the new centre. "TRUST@UOL offers a networking platform for inter- and transdisciplinary collaboration between researchers and with numerous stakeholders from society."
Sustainability as a cross-cutting issue
In the areas of research, teaching and transfer, the approximately 70 founding members want to jointly advance various projects on sustainability. The centre's thematic focuses include, for example, issues relating to the environmentally friendly use of ecosystems, resilience and health, education for sustainable development and the sustainable transformation of capital markets and organisations.
The focus is also on schools: after all, around 38% of the university's students are studying to become teachers (as of the winter semester 2024/25). "It is important to us to make prospective teachers aware of environmental and sustainability issues and to teach them how they can bring this knowledge into the classroom," says Ines Oldenburg, Deputy Centre Director and Scientific Director at the Institute of Educational Sciences. Research projects are also being planned that focus on the mental health and resilience strategies of children and young people in the face of current global challenges such as climate change and digitalisation. International research projects are also planned, for example with Nelson Mandela University in Gqeberha (South Africa).
"There are already many building blocks within the various research disciplines at the University of Oldenburg and the COAST centre has done valuable work here in recent years," emphasises Marx Gómez. With TRUST@UOL, the university is taking the next steps to present and communicate concrete solutions from research for society in terms of sustainability. "New members are always welcome and can actively contribute to the centre," says Malena Ripken, Managing Director of TRUST@UOL.
