In line with the extra-curricular program of 'Technology for Sustainable Development', I choose to participate in this course of the faculty IE&IS to get more insight in processes that play a role in sustainable transitions as this kind of socio-technical innovations are not reached by simple straightforward processes. 

The knowledge is gained by lectures covering transition theories and strategies, including multi-level analysis, strategic niche management, transition management and technological innovation systems and theories of responsible innovation within ethics of technology, environmental ethics and business ethics to analyze the moral aspects of responsible innovation. 

The course also existed by a practical oriented part where we applied the introduced tools, (such as actor-network analysis, visioning, sustainable business models etc.) to a certain topic of sustainable transition. Our group chose to investigate the transition from coal to PV panels. As such we learned to analyze and evaluate the process of responsible system innovation and to make suggestions for transformative policy design. We built up a portfolio via the weekly topics discussed and finally the course was finished by a written exam as well.

Achievements

I found out that structural changes or system innovations are very complex, long-term processes with highly uncertain outcomes. I understand what aspects which play a role in systemic, radical and responsible innovation for sustainability such as the resistance to change of existing systems (known as path-dependency or lock-in) and the influence of societal processes, including acceptance by users or civil society.

The elective enables me to apply transition frameworks and ethical theories of responsible innovation to the analysis of past and unfolding systemic changes in general, which we applied to our case in particular. The knowledge and experiences also provided me with a deeper understanding regarding the transitions from a linear economy to a circular economy, another topic of my interest.