Full Description
Higher education institutions (HEIs) play a pivotal yet underexplored role in Regional Green Transitions (RGTs) and sustainable development. This volume addresses this knowledge gap by examining how universities in the Nordic region engage with RGTs, offering theoretical and methodological insights from diverse disciplines such as economic geography, political economy, organizational theory, and education. The Nordic region, often regarded as a benchmark for best practices in education, research, innovation, and regional development, serves as the backdrop for this exploration.
Through a rich collection of case studies, the book reveals that RGTs are neither linear nor uniform. Universities navigate these transitions at varying speeds and with different strategies. Some act as agenda-setters, leveraging local coalitions and innovation ecosystems, while others adopt a more cautious approach, observing leading regions and institutions before committing to action. Structural pressures, such as national funding systems, global supply chains, and sectoral dependencies, further shape their responses.
Offering important conceptual and practical insights for a wide variety of audiences, from social scientists and advance students to university managers, and policymakers, this volume underscores the critical role of HEIs in advancing RGTs (and change processes more generally) amidst evolving political, economic, and social landscapes.
Contents
Part I: Setting the Stage 1. Universities and Regional Green Transitions in the Nordics Rómulo Pinheiro, Ina Drejer, Dzamila Bienkowska, Vito Laterza & Markku Sotarauta 2. Green regional transitions and Nordic higher education: Conceptual foundations Ina Drejer, Dzamila Bienkowska, Rómulo Pinheiro, Vito Laterza & Markku Sotarauta Part II: Balancing Stakeholder Expectations and Institutional Engagement 3. Steering regional green transitions: Universities Roles in a Broader Societal Context Jouni Kekäle & Rómulo Pinheiro 4. Repositioning Regional University College Amidst the Green Transition: The Case of Pärnu County, Estonia Antti Roose, Triin Tillart & Yuzhou Cai 5. The role of social sciences in regional green transitions: A critical-reflective perspective Mette Vinther Larsen, Ina Drejer & Martin Lehmann Part III: Leadership, Strategic Transformation and Impact 6. A place leadership role for universities? Markku Sotarauta 7. Assessing environmental impact of universities: Challenges and implications for regional green transitions Frida Layti Part IV: Educating for Green Transitions while preserving academic integrity 8. Empowering Sustainability through Active Pedagogical Methods and Regional Engagement Marthe Elden Wilhelmsen 9. Entrepreneurship programs for rural new ventures: Outreach and impact through entrepreneurship training Dzamila Bienkowska, Wisdom Kanda, Magnus Klofsten &, Charlotte Norrman 10. How can students' view on climate neutrality contribute to a sustainable future? The case of a regionally intensive Higher Education Institution Henna Juusola &Mona Roman Part V: Concluding Arguments 11. Universities and Regional Green Transitions: Complexity, contestation and one way forward Vito Laterza, Markku Sotarauta, Dzamila Bienkowska, Ina Drejer & Rómulo Pinheiro
