Enabling interdisciplinary structures to address complex sustainability challenges within our universities

Dr. Paul Bolger, Environmental Research Institute

Impact: International

Global responses to sustainability challenges over the last few decades have been too slow; more responsive modes of knowledge production to produce actionable and usable information are needed. This research explores how we can put in place more effective institutional structures within universities to enable interdisciplinary research collaboration along with the co-production of new knowledge with external stakeholders to address pressing environmental challenges. It has long been argued that solutions to inform better decisions on environmental challenges require research at the boundaries of scientific disciplines. Research institutes and centres at universities can be key vehicles for the convergence of scientists from multiple disciplines and the development of integrated, interdisciplinary knowledge.

This research provides a deeper understanding on how sustainability research institutes are enabling interdisciplinary research within their organisations. Some of the ways which research institutes are doing this include: (i) providing a large and valued network of faculty interested in a particular research issue (ii) trusted convenors and honest brokers (iii) a supportive community of scholars for interdisciplinary research (iv) a locus for big interdisciplinary ideas and questions and (v) acting as a voice and advocate for interdisciplinary scholarship within the university. This research provides robust evidence for the powerfully beneficial role that research institutes can play as enablers of interdisciplinary research, and will be of particular interest to university leadership who wish to cultivate a deeper culture of interdisciplinary research within their organisations and more widely.

“SDG targets 17.16 and 17.17 call for new multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilise knowledge and encourage and promote effective partnerships for addressing all SDGs. This includes partnerships within universities as well as outside.  One quote from a participant in this study about her research institute was "We are an academic Switzerland; a place where the disciplines and faculties can work together in a neutral non-threatening environment. Having this rich intellectual tapestry from which I could draw collaborators for proposals was just phenomenal."

- Dr. Paul Bolger

SDG 17 - Partnerships for the Goals

Target 17.16 - Enhance the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development

Target 17.17 - Encourage effective partnerships

The Sudabiome - venturing onto new land using microbiome science

Amel Sami, PhD student, School of Microbiology & APC Microbiome Ireland

Impact: International

This research aims for the first time to introduce and learn about the microbiome in the Sudanese population and their environment that includes culture and food. It aims to address historic traditions with new science and to understand existing disease susceptibilities with new entry points and partnerships. This research predominantly contributes to SDG 3 (good health and wellbeing), SDG 11 (sustainable cities and communities) and SDG 17 (partnerships for the goals), integrating microbiome science in the investment of optimised Sudanese oral and gut health understanding. The research also includes learning about how traditional fermented foods enrich communities, as well as opening up new chances for partnership gains. These outcomes will help Sudan, a currently developing country, by utilising next generation sequencing techniques or new innovations to better the future for its people, food and landscape of scientific knowledge.

Ireland is a leading country in microbiome science and its aiding and partnering with a country such as Sudan, deepens profoundly the impact its researchers can bring at national scale. It is imperative that Ireland becomes a keystone in international science.

“ Integrating tradition and science - a key turning point in understanding life.”

– Amel Sami

SDG 17 - Partnerships for the Goals

• Target 17.3 - Mobilise financial resources for developing countries 
• Target 17.6 - Knowledge sharing and cooperation for access to science, technology and innovation 

SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being

• Target 3.a - Implement the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control
• Target 3.d - Improve early warning systems for global health risks

SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities

• Target 11.4 - Protect the world's cultural and natural heritage
• Target 11.a - Strong national and regional development planning

Transitioning to sustainability and regeneration: the role of credit unions

Dr. Olive McCarthy & Dr. Noreen Byrne, Centre for Co-operative Studies and Department of Food Business and Development, Cork University Business School

Impact: Local, National

Credit unions, as deeply embedded local entities, are well placed to become regenerative organisations in communities and, in turn, wider society. In fact, ‘climate leadership’ is seen as an important role and opportunity for credit unions in the US (Hofheimer et al., 2022). This research profiles the role of credit unions in leading and supporting communities in transitioning to sustainability, restoration and regeneration. In doing so, it also explores opportunities for broader partnership by credit unions within and across communities and with wider stakeholder groups, including local, regional, and national agents, to drive climate leadership. This research will showcase the many activities credit unions undertake to support sustainability in their communities, including those credit unions which engage in embedded practices in the community, partnering with others to engage in larger scale sustainability initiatives. It will demonstrate the ability of local actors to drive the sustainability agenda while highlighting the importance of widescale partnership within and across communities to move towards regeneration and restoration.

This is the first study of how credit unions are leading and supporting communities in the transition to sustainability, restoration and regeneration. It will help to inform wider policy on how civil society organisations, as important local community actors, and in wider partnerships, can both drive and support the implementation of the SDGs while broadening the impact to a deeper level of regeneration and restoration.

SDG 17 - Partnerships for the Goals

Target 17.17 - Encourage effective partnerships