Continuing the events of the Academic Network, the LDE Center for Sustainability and the Hub Towards a Circular Economy and Society from Utrecht University, hosted the first PhD Network event on February 10 during the Week van de circulaire economie (i.e. Dutch Week of the Circular Economy).
The aim of this event was to start connecting PhDs from different Dutch universities to discuss areas of interest on the various aspects of the circular economy. It is the first step to get PhD researchers acquainted with each other's field of work to increase knowledge exchange and collaboration.
The online event counted 46 attendees and started with an introduction from prof. Ernst Worrell and prof. Arnold Tukker, who shared more about the aims of the academic network, the importance of the circular economy and the challenges in the field. The PhDs were separated into breakout rooms for a pitch session. Using a slide they were asked to prepare in advance, they presented themselves and the focus of their PhD research. The pitch session worked as a warm-up for the “matching-making” session that followed.
Using Wonder, a virtual space with different topics was presented and the attendees could move their avatar around the platform to the topic they would like to discuss. The topics Digital innovation, Research Methodologies, Policy & Legislation, Social Injustice, Behaviour, Business Models and Sustainable Consumption were organized based on the input the PhDs sent when registering for the event. When in proximity with a fellow researcher, a video call would open and the pair or group could talk. By doing so, the PhDs could not only talk about the topics in question but also get to know the other PhDs a bit more.
Since the idea behind this network is that the PhDs themselves get involved to decide how the network would continue, for the last 30 minutes of the event, they were asked for input into future communications and formation of the circular economy PhD network.. They gave input on which topics they would like to discuss in the coming events, how they would like to be in contact with their fellow researchers and which type of events they would like to attend.
At the end, the session was finalized with positive feedback and enthusiasm from the attendees, who were excited to connect with researchers in the same field or that could help them advance in their research.
Those who were interested in helping organize coming events were asked to send their contact information to start an organization council. In the coming months, different types of events and activities will be held so that PhDs can continue to connect with fellow researchers in interdisciplinary research or on specific theme focused groups.
Are you a PhD working on circular economy interested in either participating or organising future events for the Dutch CE PhD network? Get in touch with the organisational committee.
Contact
LDE Centre for Sustainability
Deborah Sumter (d.x.sumter@cml.leidenuniv.nl)
Utrecht University
Patricia Coelho (p.m.megalecoelho@uu.nl)
Marlon Boeve (m.n.boeve@uu.nl) from