The research project Accelerating the Circular Transition (ACT!) develops a systemic approach to accelerate the fair transition to a circular society in The Netherlands (and beyond).
The world is facing many challenges, from climate change and biodiversity loss to excessive pollution and potential resource scarcity. This is systemically rooted in the linear, extractive nature of resource use in present-day society. A transition to a circular society is urgently needed to tackle these challenges.
This research project will co-create a toolbox, including shared visions of a circular society (with societal wellbeing at the centre), simulation models, and an integrated approach to manage this complex transition. For this, the consortium exists of a large variety of scientific researchers (from different disciplinary backgrounds) in combination with stakeholders from all parts of the Dutch society, from (national, regional and local) government to industry, and local NGOs.
As a PhD candidate, you will focus on how mission-specific innovation systems (MIS) can drive circular transitions. Missions have become a new paradigm in innovation policy, aiming to align innovation processes with severe societal needs or problems marked by uncertainty, complexity and contestation. However, navigating these missions requires an understanding of the actors, institutions, and governance structures that shape them. To navigate this complexity, we will analyse the functioning of the MIS and focus on how governance structures can be coordinated to overcome contestation and fragmentation.
More about this Research Project
Start/end Date:
2025-2030
Team
Leader: prof. dr. Ernst Worrel (UU)
Team: (for the doctoral position in WP 1): prof. dr. Ernst Worrel, prof. dr. Peter-Ben Smit, dr. Jeroen Oomen.
Fund
NWO (NWA)