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Regenerative Technologies (RT)

The Regenerative Technologies research group aims to contribute to the transition to a just and regenerative future. We ask: What are technologies that repair, restore, and regenerate rather than harm people and degenerate our planet? Can we imagine a future in which all species, human and non-human, thrive together? Our focus is on digital artefacts and digitalisation processes, and the practices that they shape.

Circle with the words Regenerative Technologies

Our understanding of sustainability is guided by the notion of regeneration. While sustainability is about minimising harm to people and planet, regenerative sustainability is based on the notion of creating thriving and flourishing living systems of humans and non-human species.

Approach
Our interdisciplinary team shares a practice-based approach combined with theoretical understandings from Critical Theory, Systems Thinking, Science and Technology Studies, Systemic Design, and Design for Sustainability. Our empirical and exploratory methodologies, such as ethnography, life cycle assessment, case studies, and research through design, are informed by a critical research paradigm and put into practice in our Sustainability Lab.

We explore proto-practices, both on an organisational as well as product level, with the aim of creating new knowledge for regenerative practices. Current research projects focus on sustainability-oriented innovation; the design, production, and consumption of digital technologies; maintenance and repair; energy conservation; and batteries.

Image of leaf with the words sustainability lab

The Sustainability Lab is a research lab in which we engage with sustainability through workshops, events, and other practice-based activities. The Lab is a meeting place and research lab for all researchers and students working on sustainability issues at IFI. The Sustainability Lab has its own website, where we also present more details about our research projects.

Our projects

  • The Materials Library for the Digital World project aims to establish a mobile library with materials used in digitalisation technologies, such as mobile phones, laptops, servers, sensors, etc. The library will make the materials inside these devices tangible and will enable a deeper understanding of the social and ecological worlds of these materials through online and offline resources and events. Participants in the project are Maja van der Velden, Andrea Gasparini, Siv Årsand, and Kari-Anne Lyng. This project is in cooperation with the University Library (UiO). We are actively seeking funding for the physical installation of the library.
  • EMPOWER: Sustainable Batteries in Mobility - (Em)powering a Net-zero Energy Transition investigates the role of electric vehicle (EV) batteries in enabling a sustainable net-zero energy transition in Norway. EMPOWER is a convergence project funded by UiO:Energy and Sustainability and involves five departments at UiO. It is an interdisciplinary research project with a strong educational component. Participants are Maja van der Velden (work package leader), Arian Mahzouni (post-doc), and Kari-Anne Lyn (assoc. professor II).
  • In Circular Energy for a Sustainable Circular Economy (Circular Energy 2021-2023), a thematic research group financed by UiO:Energy and Sustainability, we investigate the role of design, maintenance, and repair in the conservation of digitalisation technologies. We aim to contribute to sustainable digitalisation practices. Research activities take place in cooperation with the Sustainability Law research group of the Department of Private Law, Climate House in Oslo and the Life Sciences Library of the UiO. Regenerative Technologies group participants are Maja van der Velden (project leader), Tigist Fetene Adane (post-doc), Ines Junge (PhD candidate), Kari-Anne Lyn (assoc. professor II), and Andrea Gasparini (senior lecturer II).
  • In Futuring Sustainable Nordic Business Models (Futuring Nordics, 2019 - 2023), a thematic research group financed by UiO:Norden, the Regenerative Technologies research group investigates how companies transition to sustainable business models. The focus is on product design, repair, and design thinking. Regenerative Technologies group participants are Maja van der Velden (deputy project leader), Svein Kjøde (PhD candidate) and Ines Junge (PhD candidate). Research activities take place in cooperation with the Sustainability Law research group of the Department of Private Law.

Previous Projects

  • Sustainable Market Actors for Responsible Trade (SMART)
Tags: regeneration, sustainability, design, transition, systems thinking, design thinking, social sustainability
Published Nov. 11, 2020 3:06 PM - Last modified Dec. 22, 2023 6:57 AM

Contact

Group leader:
Henrik Skaug Sætra

Section: 
Digitalisation (DIG)

Participants

Detailed list of participants