INCHER Colloqium on 10. June 2025: "Sustainable science: Investigating the influence of socio-professional embeddedness on research diversification towards sustainability" by Professor Dr. Tom Brökel

Lecture by Tom Brökel (University of Stavanger, Norway).

This study examines what drives scientists to diversify into sustainability research, distinguishing between initial transitions and the intensity of their engagement. While prior work emphasizes individual motivations, we highlight the role of contextual factors, especially given the interdisciplinary and uncertain nature of sustainability research. Using bibliometric data from the University of Stavanger, we find that departmental engagement and proximity to sustainability-focused collaborators strongly predict both entry and continued involvement in this field. These factors are likely toreduce perceived risks and foster supportive environments for sustained research activity.

Tom Broekel holds a Master’s degree and a Ph.D. in Economics and has been a Professor of Regional Innovation at the University of Stavanger since 2019. He also holds a habilitation in Economic Geography. His research focuses on the spatial dimensions of economic change, with particular attention to innovation processes, knowledge networks, innovation policy, and the role of regional news. He combines methods from social network analysis, spatial econometrics, text analysis, and large-scale data analysis.

The INCHER lectures  2025 are hybrid events.
If you wish to participate via Zoom please register at koch[at]incher.uni-kassel[dot]de

Venue: INCHER, University of Kassel, meeting room 4102, Mönchebergstraße 17
34125 Kassel