Sustainability research within the Living Lab

1. Transformative Food Policy  

Universities are increasingly thought of as an important actor in shaping the transformation of the broader food system. How should Radboud intervene? What should its food policy be composed of? What types of sustainability indicators should they pursue? Should a reduction of animal food be prioritized or a fostering of culinary excellence and local gastronomy? What policies or innovations are needed? These are questions students will grapple with in this Lab, leading to direct impact in transforming the university and regional food system. If this collaborative, action-oriented model of doing research appeals to you, apply now!  

2. Non-State Climate Action 

While governments play a crucial role in shaping climate policy, non-governmental entities such as corporations, non-profits, and educational institutions also have significant impacts on climate action. Understanding the climate policies of these parties, including universities, is essential for evaluating their effectiveness and identifying opportunities for enhancing sustainability practices. Analyzing and comparing these policies can help inform the development of more robust and impactful climate strategies within universities and other non-governmental organizations. 

3. Climate Adaptation 

As climate change leads to more frequent and severe weather events, including droughts, heavy rainfall, and heat stress, universities must adapt to these challenges while maintaining ecological balance. Climate adaptation involves recognizing and responding to climate impacts and integrating nature-based solutions to enhance resilience, and developing and implementing effective adaptation strategies that consider both environmental and organizational factors is crucial for managing these challenges sustainably. 

1. Comparative study of employee transport behavior 

The aim of this study is to visualise travel behaviour and motives for commuting and some business travel undertaken by employees working at the institutions on the Heijendaal campus (RU, UMC, HAN) and to compare this with data from a survey conducted in 2019. The study will also look at whether COVID-19 or other developments have affected travel behaviour. Based on the results, recommendations will be made to promote sustainable travel behaviour.

2. Promoting health through behaviour

Explore the possible alternatives for demedicalisation by referring a client to a non-medical organisation such as a cooking club instead of a dietician. This places a greater emphasis on lifestyle and changing the client's behaviour to improve their health without overburdening the healthcare system. This research involves a combination of behavioural and biomedical knowledge.

3. Healthy campus: factors for positive and lasting lifestyle change among employees 

Investigate the various components of behavioral change in vitality and health among Radboud University employees from a perspective of positive psychology. "What factors contribute to an actively sustained lifestyle of employees and what employer interventions contribute to this?"

4. Healthy campus: work engagement among older workers 

Investigate which factors influence work engagement among 55 - 67 year old employees. Are there significant differences between the work engagement of older employees compared to other age groups? This includes both organizational and employee factors.

5. Healthy campus: strengthening work engagement among employees 

This Living Lab focuses on the term work engagement. This term includes resilience, absorption, and motivation. The goal is to explore how to strengthen work engagement among employees on campus.

1. Nitrogen Footprint  

Nitrogen impacts and how to mitigate them are in the centre of hot topics, with ecological and social consequences particularly striking in the Netherlands. Unlike carbon footprints, which are primarily linked to global climate change, nitrogen impacts are more localized and directly influence ecosystem health. The challenge lies in reducing these localized nitrogen emissions while maintaining the necessary agricultural and industrial outputs that support human life. The living Lab aims to assess Radboud’s individuals and whole campus’s nitrogen footprint and explore strategies for reducing nitrogen at all levels, considering behavioral, policy and technological interventions.  

2. Human Health and Biodiversity  

It is felt that nature and landscapes have a positive impact on someone’s mood, but toat what extent does it impact health? What is the relationship between biodiversity and human health? What to do and where to act from a biodiversity perspective to explore the synergies between biodiversity resilience and human health remission.  

3. Monitoring of Biodiversity on Campus  

What are the key biodiversity indicators that can be effectively monitored on a university campus? What roles do native vs. non-native plant species play in campus biodiversity? It is crucial to monitor the development of biodiversity on campus to inform policy-makers and determine the effectiveness of the measures.  

4. Incorporating Zoo-cooperation on campus/New Biodiversity Policy on Campus  

How to build on campus including the needs how to build on campus including the needs of nature, how to include and involve biodiversity needs in decision-making? How to ensure biodiversity representation and participation in dialogues, especially when confronting interests? how to include multispecies justice in decision-making?   

5. Nature is everywhere  

It is said that nature is everywhere, but is it still the case ? What about conflicts and coexistence with urban wildlife?  And how to demonstrate this in the city? Looking for research questions!  

6. Biodiversity voice on campus  

Study on communication impact of Radboud biodiversity advocates. How can we communicate well about our events on campus? Which newsletters are being read? What is a good moment to communicate on Instagram? 

7. Food Forest 

What are the most effective strategies for integrating food forests into urban and institutional settings? How can we measure the impacts of food forests on biodiversity, soil health, and carbon sequestration? What role can food forests play in enhancing food security and reducing dependency on conventional agricultural systems? How can food forests foster community engagement, support local food economies, and promote equity in access to nutritious foods? This is a chance to be part of a transformative initiative that not only reimagines food production on campus but also contributes to the broader goal of creating sustainable, resilient, and equitable food systems. By integrating academic research with real-world applications, the Food Forest Project not only enhances the campus environment but also empowers students to take an active role in reshaping our relationship nature. 

1. Circular Currency  

Building knowledge on circular currencies is increasingly recognized by universities and municipalities to rethink economics and challenge capitalist paradigms, by localizing economic control and reducing the outflow of financial resources. By promoting local production and consumption, this Living Lab explores how to mitigate environmental impacts associated with long supply chains and overproduction, prioritizing community resilience and ecological health over profit, and thus providing an alternative to the dominant growth-centric economic models. 

1. HVO Fuels 

HVO fuels, while marketed as a greener alternative to fossil fuels, pose several significant challenges. One primary concern is sourcing, which often relies on crops like palm oil. The cultivation of these crops can lead to deforestation, loss of biodiversity, and significant carbon emissions, offsetting the environmental benefits of HVO fuels. However, despite their potential, HVO fuels come with their own set of challenges requiring further exploration, such as the availability of sustainable feedstocks is limited, raising questions about the long-term scalability of HVO production. 

2. Power Grid 

Traditional power grids on university campuses are often inefficient, heavily reliant on fossil fuels.  As universities aim to meet ambitious sustainability targets, including carbon neutrality, there is a pressing need to transition to smarter, more adaptable power systems that can efficiently manage diverse energy inputs and demands. Without this transition, campuses continue to face challenges related to energy waste, high emissions, and the inability to fully leverage renewable resources. By participating in this Living Lab, you will not only contribute to the development of a smarter, greener power grid but also gain invaluable skills and experience that can shape your future career in sustainable technologies and help in transforming our campus into a model of sustainable energy innovation.  

1. SVHC in laboratories 

Substances of Very High Concern (SVHCs) represent a specific category of chemicals that pose pronounced risks to human health and the environment. These substances include carcinogens, mutagens, reproductive toxins, and those that are environmentally detrimental due to their persistence. 

In laboratory environments, SVHCs are frequently utilized, which raises critical issues regarding their safe management, the reduction of their use, and the exploration of alternative substances that present fewer risks. Addressing these challenges is essential for advancing safer laboratory practices and reducing the overall impact of SVHCs. 

2. Green MicroLab 

Research to make an inventory of Sustainability Perception and do surveys and interviews with lab members to understand current perceptions of sustainability and identify key areas of concern or resistance, evaluate how different communication approaches impact lab members' willingness to adopt sustainable practices, aiming to identify the most effective methods for driving change. Based on findings, propose a set of guidelines or policy recommendations for increasing lab sustainability, tailored to the specific needs and challenges of microbiology labs. 

3. Microbio Macrowaste 

Methane is a highly potent greenhouse gas with a global warming potential significantly higher than that of carbon dioxide. Traditional methods for methane mitigation are often expensive and energy-intensive, prompting the need for more sustainable and cost-effective solutions. Biofilters, which utilize specific microbes to degrade methane into less harmful substances, offer a promising alternative, but further research is needed to optimize these systems for broader application. 

1. Nature-inclusive procurement 

Investigate opportunities for purchasing products in a way that respects nature in the broadest sense. Everything the University buys has an impact on biodiversity elsewhere. How can we find out what that impact is? And how do we know that procurement is not harming nature? In this living lab, you will primarily focus on economic issues and management.

2. Commuting employees: reducing the number of cars on campus 

Radboud University has set itself the goal of reducing car traffic on and to campus by 20% by 2024 – without compromising accessibility. You will carry out a research project in which you will consider what measures should be taken to achieve this goal. It is also possible to do this research project as an internship.

1. SVHC substances in laboratories 

Substances of very high concern (SVHC) are used in laboratory experiments. In this living lab, you will investigate the possibility of reducing the amount of SVHCs in each experiment and/or the possibility of using a less harmful alternative. It is also important to look at the emission (evaporation) of substances and how this can possibly be reduced.

2. Life cycle analysis: 3D-printed splints 

This research is investigating the use of 3D-printed splints to replace standard treatments of fractures and other musculoskeletal injuries that use plastic casts. The disadvantages of plastic casts – such as discomfort, pain, planned and unplanned cast changes for patients, the environmental impact of production and transport abroad and the fact that they are single-use and non-recyclable – will be replaced with potential benefits, including less pain and discomfort, as well as being produced locally and being able to recycle the material.

3. Life cycle analysis: prostatectomy vs radical radiotherapy (EBRT)

 Two treatment methods used for patients with prostate cancer are a prostatectomy and radical radiotherapy (EBRT). Both methods are almost identical in terms of outcomes and toxicity. As a result, there is much debate in the medical community about which treatment is the preferred option. However, the ecological footprint of the treatments has not been studied. In this research internship, you will carry out a life cycle analysis (LCA) to determine which treatment is more sustainable and make recommendations for future trade-offs between the two treatments.

4. Emergency healthcare: sustainability in ICUs, A&E and ORs

The healthcare sector is a major contributor to national carbon emissions. It also generates large amounts of waste. In hospitals, A&E departments, operating rooms (OR) and intensive care units (ICU) all have a significant impact on the environment. The healthcare sector has committed to a 49% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030. In this research internship, you will study the environmental impact of healthcare processes in order to promote measures that reduce the impact on both the climate and the environment. 

1. LEAF Assessment: sustainable lab practices 

Biomedical research is vital for improving human health and quality of life, but laboratories have a significant ecological footprint. Just think about the vast amounts of single-use plastic materials and the high levels of energy, chemical and water consumption. Green Labs NL is conducting a nationwide pilot for the implementation of a guidance tool entitled the Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework (LEAF). LEAF helps research groups to become more sustainable based on practical criteria. Four RadboudUMC labs are participating in this pilot project. This research/internship focuses on collecting, organising and processing quantitative information on the use of energy, water and money. The objective is to measure baseline consumption, and consequently the improvement after LEAF implementation in labs participating in the LEAF pilot study. Students will be expected to assist in the measurement and collection of data on waste streams, equipment energy use, IT use and water use. You must have excellent communication skills and be able to build bridges between a wide range of expertise, from lab staff to managers and sustainability consultants.

2. Hidden costs of food: environmental, health, and societal costs 

A recent study by the research group for the UN Food Systems Summit explored the true cost and true price of food. The price we pay for our food in supermarkets and restaurants does not reflect the environmental, health and societal costs associated with the production of our food. According to the study, only a third of the true costs are currently reflected in market prices. To negate these external costs, the study has proposed a True Costs Accounting (TCA) tool. As a result, consumers will pay a fairer price that compensates for the impact of our current food system. Radboud University wants to explore this concept further. During your research internship at Radboud University's Campus & Facilities department, you will answer questions such as: What are the true costs of our food?, How can we make people more aware of the hidden costs of their food? and What can/should Radboud University do about this in its own facilities that serve food?

3. Biodiversity on Campus

The goal for the next ten years is to develop and manage the campus (grounds and buildings) in a way that creates favourable conditions for the restoration of biodiversity. To achieve this, a vision has been formulated based on four pillars: improving conditions for biodiversity, climate adaptation and migration, construction and human-nature interaction. Within this contxt you are invited to come up with your own research question.

4. Nitrogen footprint of the campus

Research the nitrogen footprint of the organisation (campus, university and hospital). To do this, you must first research how to calculate a nitrogen footprint, how to visualise it, what assumptions are made, and how it differs from a carbon footprint.