IGSD News

IGSD and the Sustainability Spotlight Steering Group hosted meetings of international partners from Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan and India. Ms Nargiz Ismayilova from, Head of Partnerships from Ada University, Dr Akram Umarov, Vice-Rector of UWED and Director of the Institute of Advanced International Studies, and Dr Seema Mundoli from the Climate Change Centre and Sustainability at Azim Premji University, presented their research to the Steering Group, and discussed research projects and suitable funding opportunities with IGSD. In the afternoon they also interacted with EUTOPIA partners at lunch, and met to discuss MOUs with Prof. Michael Scott, PVC International.

Professor Elena KorostelevaLink opens in a new window and Dr Aijan SharshenovaLink opens in a new window, SHAPEDEM-EULink opens in a new window team at the University of Warwick, participated in the 2nd Annual Progress Meeting of the SHAPEDEM-EU Consortium. Professor Korosteleva reported on the progress of the deliverables under the Working Package 2 "Democratic practices and democracy support in the Eastern Neighbourhood and discussed prospects of future collaborations with the consortium members.

SHAPEDEM-EULink opens in a new window is a consortium of 12 research, policy and civil society institutions set out to rethink, reshape, and review the EU’s democracy promotion policies, while elaborating and pilot testing a novel model of a Democracy Learning Loop. The project is funded by the European Union under the Horizon Europe funding framework.

Dr. Aijan SharshenovaLink opens in a new window, SHAPEDEM-EULink opens in a new window research fellow, started a month-long in-residence visiting fellowship at the Eureast Platform at the University of Ghent. The EureastLink opens in a new window Platform engages in academic collaboration with academics from Eastern Europe and Eureasia. Aijan will present her ongoing work on academic positionality, self-censorship and resilience in Central Asia.

Research Fellow Dr. Aijan SharshenovaLink opens in a new window (SHAPEDEM-EU ProjectLink opens in a new window) completed a 13 week-long gender equality training course at the University of Central Asia. The School for the Advancement of Gender EqualityLink opens in a new window provided an extensive theoretical and practical training on gender equality and advocacy for women-led organisations, civil society activists, journalists and bloggers. Dr. Sharshenova was awarded qualification of a specialist in gender equality advocacy.

The Early Career Researcher Sustainability Training School (ECR STS) Global recently concluded its second edition, marking another significant milestone in the journey towards fostering a transformative and transdisciplinary research culture at Warwick. Building on the success of ECR STS 1.0 held in June 2023, this year's event aimed to further enhance research, impact, and networking opportunities, while investing in a new generation of planet-conscious researchers dedicated to sustainable development.

ECR STS 2.0, held from 15th to 19th April 2024, expanded its reach across borders, bringing together early career researchers (ECRs) from 18 countries and 5 continents. Participants from Indonesia, the Philippines, Ghana, Nepal, Bangladesh, Turkey, South Africa, and Australia, among others. This global representation not only enriched the discussions but also highlighted the universality of the sustainability agenda. One of the hallmarks of ECR STS 2.0 was its focus on innovative training methods developed by Warwick researchers. Participants had the opportunity to engage in participatory film-making, serious games, and citizen assemblies, offering a unique and immersive learning experience.

A distinguishing feature of ECR STS 2.0 was the active involvement of IGSD Thematic Fellows and the inaugural cohort of ECRs as mentors and trainers. This mentorship model fostered collaboration, knowledge exchange, and peer learning, creating a supportive environment for professional growth and development. Additionally, partnerships with the EUTOPIA consortium and the Commonwealth Futures Climate Research Cohort, ACU, further enriched the experience, underscoring the importance of collaborative research initiatives in driving meaningful change.

ECR STS is not just a training programme; it is a catalyst for transformative action and collaboration. By convening policymakers, practitioners, and young researchers, ECR STS facilitates dialogue, knowledge sharing, and the co-creation of solutions to complex sustainability challenges. As Warwick's flagship initiative with a focus on sustainability, ECR STS is poised to become an initiative that crosses geographical boundaries and contributes to building a more sustainable future for all.

As we at IGSD reflect on the success of ECR STS 2.0, we are reminded of the collective effort and commitment towards advancing sustainable development goals. The diverse perspectives, innovative approaches, and collaborative spirit demonstrated during the training school, serve as a testament to the power of collective and relational action in addressing global challenges. Join us for STS 3.0 in 24/25!