The University of Warwick welcomed its first cohort of early career researchers to its newly developed Sustainability Training School (warwick.ac.uk). The training school was created by the university’s Institute for Global Sustainable Development (warwick.ac.uk)in partnership with EUTOPIA (warwick.ac.uk), a university alliance that brings together 10 European universities, including GUILD, Monash Alliance and UN SDSN UK.

The ECR STS 1.0 pioneered a transdisciplinary way of training the next generation of scientists to work conjointly towards solving global planetary problems. This year’s focus was ‘Resilience and Sustainable Development’.

Professor Elena Korosteleva (warwick.ac.uk), Director of the Institute of Global Sustainable Development, said, “Through the launch of the new Sustainability Training School, we hope to equip researchers to learn how to develop solutions to tackle global challenges in new innovative ways. We want our cohort to use this time to engage in conversations around sustainable development and what can be done to support communities that are directly impacted by environmental challenges.”

The week-long event was packed full of presentations and workshops where researchers learnt new skills and built their confidence. Those attending learnt new innovative methods, how to make their research more impactful, what kind of career paths they can develop and ways they can develop further by working on sustainable development.

One of the highlights of the week was a Collage Workshop led by Dr Harriet Richmond, University of Warwick. The cohort worked in their project groups to explore creative ways to display their project ideas. This not only produced innovative visualisations of the research themes, but also embraced new ways of working together.

“What I found most beneficial was the opportunity to interact with other participants from diverse backgrounds, which enabled me to understand better how resilience and sustainability are interpreted and applied across various disciplines.” Saiyem Khan, University of Warwick

“We opened the call back in March this year and had over 30 applications from different parts of the world,” commented Elena. “We had individuals from Europe, Central Asia, Australia and South Korea wanting to come to Warwick to present their research and develop themselves as early career researchers. An added bonus is the visibility that the training school gives the IGSD but there are also opportunities for the researchers who attended to stay connected after the event.”

The main objective, through design and creation of this school, was to offer a unique opportunity for further skills development and exchange of ideas between early career researchers with the support of established researchers and invited speakers.

The training school successfully promoted collaborations with people at the beginning of their careers looking for new research methods that will support communities impacted by environmental challenges.
“The entire week was immensely enriching, and I thoroughly enjoyed every bit of the sessions and interactions. It was an honour to be a part of the group presentations and to receive the second prize was an added delight.” Shahad AlshehriLink opens in a new window, University of Southampton

The story does not end here. Creating this strong and sustainable network with the cohort they are continuing to work together from across the globe and are currently developing their Group Project into a funding proposal to Warwick’s Enhancing Research Culture with the mentorship and guidance of IGSD researchers and Director.
“I feel much more confident in pursuing multidisciplinary collaborations now. I also have a I have a better understanding of different perspectives now.” Liv Nielsen, University of Southern Denmark

IGSD is planning on STS Global 2.0 to take place in April 2024 and will have a focus on Water Security. For more information about the exciting initiatives, research projects how to get involved, you can reach us at igsd@warwick.ac.uk