According to Professor Wijen, a broad approach is essential: “Sustainability is by definition a transversal matter. You can only understand it by combining different perspectives. The topic requires a broad systems view in which many insights and disciplines complement each other. That is why our research centre explicitly takes a faculty-wide approach that transcends campuses and research units as a deliberate objective.”

From fragmentation to connection

The centre was created in response to an observation that had been circulating within the faculty for some time: sustainability was present in many places, but fragmented and often invisible.

Frank Wijen: “Indeed, researchers and lecturers were already working on a wide range of sustainability topics—from biodiversity and energy to inclusivity and good governance—but they were not always aware of what colleagues in other departments were doing. Collaboration and communication mainly took place within one’s own research unit. The faculty’s sustainability task force brought to light that a significant share of researchers were actively engaged with sustainability, but that more structure, exchange, and coherence were needed. The research centre takes on that role by connecting researchers from different groups.”

Interdisciplinarity as a working principle

The centre starts from the idea that sustainability challenges are rarely one-dimensional. What is economically feasible, how people behave, how companies and organisations function, and where ecological boundaries lie—these are factors that continuously influence one another. How do you bring that together?

Frank Wijen: “Think of it as a matrix model: the traditional departments continue to exist but are complemented by thematic connections. We offer researchers from decision sciences, marketing, accounting, finance, organisation, strategy, and economics a shared platform to collaborate by organising meetings around themes such as human rights, water management, biodiversity, income inequality, or the circular economy. This thematic approach makes it possible to discover complementary expertise and set up new research projects. It can also lead to joint research funding applications. Finally, it gives lecturers a view of potential new teaching material and fosters greater alignment to integrate sustainability into courses.”

Embedding sustainability in education

The centre’s vision aligns with a broader movement within the faculty to strengthen the integration of sustainability in education. Following the recommendations of the aforementioned task force, a mandatory sustainability course was introduced in the second bachelor year of nearly all programmes. Sustainability is also integrated into various bachelor’s and master’s courses. This allows students to approach sustainability in an integrative way, rather than as an optional specialisation—as was often the case in the past.

Building bridges between science and practice

In addition to internal collaboration, the centre explicitly aims to strengthen dialogue with practice and make internal expertise more visible to the outside world.

Frank Wijen: “Absolutely! The centre was also established to facilitate practitioners’ search for the right expertise. In addition to research institutes at other universities, we explicitly target the business world, government, and civil society. What needs and shared interests do they have in today’s context of shifting regulations and strategic uncertainty? Think, for example, of European sustainability reporting or the energy transition in the mobility sector. We are already planning lectures with Ekonomika Alumni, including on sustainability and reporting.”

“Let me be clear: we are not consultants solving operational problems. SBE is a knowledge partner that engages in dialogue and reflects on issues that are broadly relevant to the economy and society. Researchers can offer insights from other sectors, countries, or historical trajectories, and help place data and developments in a broader perspective. At the same time, practical questions and data are valuable input for academic research. With this exchange in mind, the centre serves as a central contact point for external parties seeking specific expertise within FEB.”