ABOUT
In an increasingly complex and interconnected world, resilience is more than just the ability to recover from disruption, it’s about preparing for, adapting to, and thriving in the face of systemic challenges. At the Faculty of Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences (BMS), we explore resilience from diverse, interdisciplinary perspectives, aligning our research with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Our work is organized around three key domains:
1. Sustainability and Circular Economy
Building future-proof systems means embedding resilience into how we manage resources, design infrastructures, and shape economic models. Our faculty contributes to:
- Circular economy strategies for resilient value chains
- Sustainable supply chains and production networks
- Organizing and co-creating sustainable futures, influencing sustainable behaviour
- Sustainability transitions, organizational and institutional change
- Business and financial models for resilience, sustainability and circularity
- Sustainable (regional) development and climate adaptation policies
- Energy transitions and environmental risk mitigation
- Environmental ethics, climate justice
- Ethical, technological, and systemic innovation for sustainability
This research links to all SDGs with a particular focus on SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), among others.
2. Safety and (Cyber-)Security
We investigate how individuals, organizations, and systems can better anticipate, prevent, and respond to physical, digital, and societal threats. Our research spans topics such as:
- Crisis and disaster risk management
- Cybersecurity and digital safety
- Conflict, trust, and societal cohesion
- Human factors for safety and security
- Public governance, policy design, and ethical technology deployment
By addressing the complex interplay between technology, governance, and human cognition and behaviour, we contribute to SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure).
3. Health Resilience
From individual well-being to system-level healthcare innovation, we address how societies can sustain physical, mental, and organizational health in the face of change. Research themes include:
- Mental health and psychosocial resilience
- Healthcare systems co-design, usability, safety in usage, acceptance, adoption, and governance
- Behaviour change interventions
- Health equity, diversity, and inclusion
These efforts contribute directly to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 4 (Quality Education), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).
A Systems Perspective on Resilience
What makes our approach unique is the integration of technology, governance, human behaviour, and environment across all three domains. Our researchers collaborate across departments—from public administration and communication sciences to industrial engineering, health technology, philosophy of science, and more. Together, we explore resilience as a multi-scalar and dynamic phenomenon—shaped by ethics, policy, data, education, and social structures.
Whether tackling cyber threats, environmental challenges, or mental health crises, our resilience research empowers societies to not just withstand adversity, but to transform and innovate through it.
Resilience theme events
The first BMS Resilience Brokerage event was organized in 2024: "Brokerage event for grant applications"
Resilience example projects
- IS2H4C: Sustainable Circular Economy Transition: From Industrial Symbiosis to Hubs for Circularity
- ADAPT: Lessons for dealing with tomorrow’s crisis
- Towards an Internet of Secure Things
- CATRIN: Controllable, Accountable, Transparent: the Responsible Internet
- Protect Childs