Mission and vision

Mission

Sustainable Society contributes to the effort to solve pressing societal challenges by developing and disseminating academic knowledge, in close cooperation with existing and new societal partners. Our underlying drive is to realize a sustainable future with a high quality of life for present and future generations.

Vision

The strategic theme Sustainable Society further increases the societal impact of the University of Groningen by organizing its substantial human and intellectual capital to address pressing societal challenges. The theme is strongly rooted in the UG’s academic community, actively stimulating existing interdisciplinary teams of academic specialists and creating new ones, preferably alongside relevant societal partners. Such transdisciplinary and innovative research groups have the goal of generating cutting-edge, evidence-based knowledge that can help societal partners to develop sound policies. The ultimate goal is to increase the number of research groups that make a clear regional difference, are nationally unique and pioneering, and are internationally recognized as being prestigious. Simultaneously, we believe in the importance and beauty of taking smaller steps. Small projects can make a difference as well. The results of all of our projects are actively disseminated within and outside the University in a variety of innovative ways, depending on the target audience. Thus, the UG can address societal challenges and have a true and lasting impact on the creation of a sustainable society – now and in the future.