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Arena 3: Environmental Change and Well-Being

Why Environmental Change and Well-Being

Arena 3 focuses on addressing the challenges of climate change and climate protection to create sustainable, safe, and inclusive environments. This thematic arena aligns closely with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 13: Climate Action; SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation; SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy; SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities; and SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production. The arena aims to build upon the EUniWell Environment Academy established during the pilot phase by integrating various research and dissemination activities from EUniWell universities and cities.

What we do

This arena leverages the combined research expertise of all EUniWell universities to address key environmental issues, such as water and land use, and the impacts of climate change on the environment and human well-being. By exploring climate change mitigation and adaptation measures from various perspectives, the arena involves experts from fields such as economics, social sciences, urban and agricultural studies, chemistry, and biology. This interdisciplinary research provides a comprehensive approach to understanding and tackling environmental challenges, aligning with the United Nations’ SDGs.

What we currently focus on

In Arena 3, our objectives are centred around several key areas:

  • Innovative Research: Advancing research on the intersection of humans and the environment through collaborative, interdisciplinary studies. Initiatives include the “Green My Community” project, which facilitates networking among researchers, students, university staff, and experts on climate change and sustainability. The arena also fosters innovative research in ecosystem modelling and forecasting to support evidence-informed policymaking.
  • Educational Programmes: Developing academic content and supporting educational offers focused on environmental change. This includes creating a joint Master’s Programme among several universities in the Alliance, which aims to explore key issues related to the natural world and human interactions while striving for European label certification. Additionally, the arena will provide innovative skills through shared PhD training modules and microcredentials.
  • Collaboration and Networking: Creating opportunities for knowledge exchange and collaborative projects within the EUniWell network and with external stakeholders. The arena will strengthen connections with the New European Bauhaus (NEB) network, co-develop festivals and events promoting sustainability such as Green Weeks, and engage with activists and policymakers.
  • Community Engagement: Expanding knowledge transfer and civic engagement on Environmental Change through activities for students, academics, administrative staff, and external stakeholders. Initiatives include public competitions, living labs, and other activities to raise awareness of sustainability and well-being, fostering public engagement and civil society involvement.

Who to contact

For more information, please contact the Arena’s coordinator Sara Ronco at sara.ronco[at]unifi.it.