We are witnessing a major global ecological crisis challenging living conditions on Earth. Diverse actors including researchers, businesses, experts and policymakers urgently seek solutions to the deeply unsustainable trajectory of the scale, pace and intensity of human activity exceeding the planetary boundaries, and leading to fundamental human-driven alterations of the Earth system. Most prominently this is seen in the intertwined crises of climate change, biodiversity loss and geodiversity decline. Interdisciplinary research and education in Green and Digital Transition provide a key means of addressing these complex crises by catalysing change towards sustainable socio-economic growth.
It is necessary to train the next generation of researchers in an interdisciplinary scheme that considers not only the potential technical solution or the scientific measurement of climate change, the biodiversity crisis and geodiversity degradation, but how these phenomena are linked to human-nature interactions. UTU-GreDiT is a unique international, inter-sectoral and interdisciplinary MSCA COFUND Doctoral Programme hosted by the University of Turku (UTU) from 11/2023-10/2028. UTU-GreDiT integrates cutting-edge research infrastructures, experienced supervisors, and existing knowledge base of affiliated research groups. This enables early-stage researchers (ESRs) to gain high-quality training and perform novel research under interdisciplinary supervision that crosses research groups from UTU and associated partners on topics related to Green and Digital Transition, and European Green Deal.
The overall UTU-GreDiT objective is therefore to provide a top-quality research training ecosystem for 24 fellows focusing on Green and Digital Transition to strengthen transformative change towards sustainable societies and producing high-demand experts for the needs of public-private sectors and academia. The call of the UTU-GreDiT Programme was published internationally and applicants were evaluated through an open, merit-based process by external evaluators. The appointed fellows are full members of UTU Graduate School (UTUGS) with similar opportunities, obligations and working conditions to other UTUGS members. UTU-GreDiT will integrate cutting-edge research infrastructures, experienced supervisors, and existing knowledge base of 12 research groups with >45 professors and experienced researchers. This enables fellows to gain high-quality training and perform novel research under interdisciplinary supervision that crosses research groups from UTU and associated partners on topics related to Green and Digital Transition, and European Green Deal. National or international 4-6 months secondments and other training activities are provided through 26 associated partners and UTU. UTU-GreDiT will provide transferable skills for ESRs including scientific writing, project management, culture of open science and entrepreneurial skills that are essential for widening their career prospects. The training and secondments offered will actively involve all participants, and thus, contribute to bridging the gaps between research and private sector and boosting the sustainable socio-economic growth from regional to EU level. After training, ESRs will be capable of working in the private or public sector or academia, especially in the area of Green and Digital Transition, and have skills to start their own business, as well.
