The PhD programme Innovation for Sustainability will start in 2023. The programme is applied and project-oriented and aims to find realisable solutions that can contribute to the transition to a more sustainable, low-emissions society. In Norway, this ongoing process is widely referred to as "the green shift."
The Faculty of Technology, Art and Design designed the programme in collaboration with several research institutes at OsloMet.
The PhD will emphasise interdisciplinarity and collaboration across professions and offers a unique combination of subject areas such as art, design and drama, information technology, and social studies.
Rector Christen Krogh is thrilled about the establishment of the new PhD programme.
“Congratulations to the research communities that have developed an important addition to the university's educational portfolio!”
“This will be an interdisciplinary programme focused on sustainability in which candidates from different academic backgrounds will come together. This kind of interdisciplinarity is important both in a Norwegian and an international context,” Krogh went on to say.
“With this PhD programme, OsloMet will contribute knowledge and expertise related to the transition to a more sustainable society, both in Norway and abroad,” concluded the rector.
The programme in Innovation for Sustainability is aimed at candidates from both the private and public sector, as well as academia.
The admission requirements are completion of a master's degree, and a project application where the candidates demonstrate their knowledge of the field.
Positive reception from external stakeholders
Professor Astrid Skjerven at the Faculty of Technology, Art and Design has led the work on the new doctoral programme, which has also involved the other faculties at the university.
Skjerven says that early in the process they contacted external organisations to ensure the relevance of the proposed programme.
“We have experienced a great interest in the programme. It fits well with the Research Council of Norway's scheme for funding industry and public sector PhDs. Under this scheme, employers can be reimbursed half of the expenses for their candidate's doctoral project,” Skjerven explained.
The programme has also been well received by external stakeholders. Among them is Anniken Hauglie, Deputy Director General at the Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise (NHO).
“It is such good news that OsloMet is starting a PhD programme in sustainable innovation. The green transition requires new skills. Norwegian companies are ready to implement the green shift, but green expertise may prove to be in short supply. We therefore need to train far more people with expertise in sustainability,” Hauglie said.
