Call June 2024

Open Call for Articles

“Integrating Sustainability in Research and Innovation: Strategies, Challenges, and Case Studies”

Guest-edited by Alexandra Dubini, Mariana Rosca and Polat Goktas

June 2024 Special Issue of the MCAA Newsletter (ISSN 2663-9483)

The June 2024 Special Issue (SI) of the MCAA Newsletter is dedicated to advancing sustainable practices within academia. This edition aims to explore how environmental responsibilities intersect with academic activities, particularly focusing on the integration of sustainability in research and innovation. It highlights the synergy between environmental duties and academic endeavours, with an emphasis not just on identifying problems but also on presenting practical methods for aligning professional responsibilities with personal needs, especially in a post-pandemic landscape.

For this SI, we welcome submissions focused on sustainable practices in academic research. We are particularly interested in articles that address the challenges and showcase successful strategies for promoting environmental stewardship and social responsibility within the academic community. The goal is to spotlight innovative methods that enhance the sustainability of research processes, foster community engagement, and promote education on sustainable practices across various academic disciplines.

Why Now?

The urgency for sustainability in the current academic landscape is paramount. The rapid pace of innovation must align with our ethical responsibilities towards society and the environment. Martinuzzi et al. (2018) highlight the dual imperatives academia faces: the need for swift innovation and the necessity to maintain public trust through socially valuable innovations. This necessitates the adoption of Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) practices, which aims to balance cutting-edge scientific progress with its impacts on society and the environment.

Additionally, as Beringer and Adomßent (2008) and Lüdeke‐Freund (2020) emphasize that universities must undergo strategic and systematic institutional transformation to foster sustainability that integrates both academic pursuits and operational practices. This holistic approach, to 'greening' the campus and beyond, not only supports academic innovation but also cultivates a culture responsive to today’s environmental challenges. 

Shrivastava et al. (2020) and Ruiz-Mallén and Heras (2020) stress the importance of academia engaging more deeply with global sustainability goals and transforming sustainability science into a transdisciplinary effort that can drive positive social and environmental change worldwide. Such a transformation is crucial for universities striving to lead in sustainable development and align with global initiatives like the Agenda 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

Integrating these insights, academic institutions are urged to reassess and realign their research and operational practices with the principles of RRI or similar innovative approaches. This realignment should ensure that their pursuit of knowledge robustly contributes to societal and environmental sustainability. Such alignment not only promotes academic innovation but also cultivates a responsible and responsive academic culture that is attuned to the urgent sustainability challenges of our era.

Open Call for Contributions

In alignment with our focus on integrating sustainability in research and innovation, we invite submissions from all interested MCAA members and beyond that reflect an innovative and environmentally conscious approach to academia. Contributions can range from discussing sustainable research methodologies to sharing success stories of environmental impact reduction within academic settings.

Topics of Interest

We encourage submissions that explore, but are not limited to, the following areas:

- Best Practices for Sustainability in Research: Exploring eco-friendly research designs and operational strategies that reduce environmental impact. What methods are being used, and what outcomes have they achieved?

- Community Engagement and Sustainability: How can the academic community better engage with public and institutional partners to promote sustainability? What are the best practices for integrating community collaborations into research and campus activities?

- Sustainability Training and Education: Discussing the development and impact of training programs aimed at fostering sustainable habits among researchers and students. How are these programs designed, and what has been their effectiveness?

- Economic Sustainability in Academia: How does the financial structure of academia impact sustainable practices? This can include discussions on funding for sustainability projects, economic pressures affecting sustainable choices, and the financial benefits of adopting green practices.

- Mobility and Sustainability: Evaluating the environmental and personal impacts of frequent relocations and commuting in academia. What sustainable solutions can be implemented to address these challenges?

- Inclusivity and Sustainability: Exploring how inclusive practices within the academic workforce contribute to sustainability. How can diverse viewpoints enhance the development and implementation of sustainable practices?

- Remote Work and Sustainability: Assessing the environmental advantages and challenges of remote work setups in academia. What are the long-term implications for sustainability?

Implementing Sustainable Policies: What policies can institutions implement to enhance sustainability? How effective have these policies been in fostering a sustainable academic environment?

- Case Studies on Successful Sustainability Initiatives: Sharing detailed accounts of initiatives within academia that have successfully promoted sustainability and environmental stewardship. What were the strategies, and what results were achieved?

We welcome diverse formats of contributions, including articles, interviews, and case studies that not only highlight challenges but also emphasize actionable strategies and successful implementations of sustainability in the academic realm.

How to Submit:

1. - All MCAA members are encouraged to submit their pitches (50-150 words) via the form linked below by May 10, 2024.

2. - Authors of accepted pitches will be notified by May 10, 2024. They will then be invited to submit a full article (approximately 750 words, per MCAA editorial guidelines and the editorial rules – instructions for authors).
3. - The deadline for initial draft submissions is May 22, 2024.

All contributions will be reviewed by the guest editors, supported by the MCAA Editorial Board members.

References

Beringer, A., & Adomßent, M. (2008). Sustainable university research and development: inspecting sustainability in higher education research. Environmental Education Research, 14(6), 607-623. https://doi.org/10.1080/13504620802464866 

Lüdeke‐Freund, F. (2020). Sustainable entrepreneurship, innovation, and business models: Integrative framework and propositions for future research. Business Strategy and the Environment, 29(2), 665-681. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.2396 

Martinuzzi, A., Blok, V., Brem, A., Stahl, B., & Schönherr, N. (2018). Responsible research and innovation in industry—Challenges, insights and perspectives. Sustainability, 10(3), 702. https://doi.org/10.3390/su10030702 

Ruiz-Mallén, I., & Heras, M. (2020). What sustainability? higher education institutions’ pathways to reach the agenda 2030 goals. Sustainability, 12(4), 1290. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12041290 

Shrivastava, P., Smith, M. S., O’Brien, K., & Zsolnai, L. (2020). Transforming sustainability science to generate positive social and environmental change globally. One Earth, 2(4), 329-340. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oneear.2020.04.010