The complex problems of today’s world do not fit neatly within the boundaries of single research disciplines. Instead, effective responses to global challenges require creative collaborations across business and the arts and sciences.
At Bentley University’s third annual research colloquium, faculty, staff, students, and audience members gathered to elevate this message, focusing on the theme: Sustainable Worlds: Individual, Business, Societal, and Scientific Perspectives.
“This year’s research colloquium demonstrates that sustainability is not a topic that merely a few science faculty study, but instead is ingrained across teaching, research, and organizational operations at Bentley,” says Alina Chircu, professor of Information and Process Management and chair of the Bentley Research Colloquium.
In addition to sessions showcasing research from Bentley faculty and PhD students, the event brought keynote speaker Mr. Jonas Haertle, head of the Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) secretariat of the United Nations Global Compact Office. In his role, Heartle is responsible for driving the mission of the PRIME initiative and to inspire responsible management education, research, and thought leadership globally.
“As a business university, we are committed to preparing a new generation of business leaders, armed with subject matter knowledge, technical expertise, a broad global perspective, high ethical standards and a deep commitment to social responsibility,” says Gloria Larson, president of Bentley University.
“Given our mission, it’s hard to imagine another issue our world faces today that so perfectly demands thoughtful leadership from our faculty and our graduates.”
The event featured four major themes:
1. Sustainable Industries examined the different approaches taken to integrate sustainability into various industries, uncovering what all sustainable business models have in common and how businesses achieve a stable equilibrium between use and production.
2. Sustainable Education covered a wide range of projects that help educate students at all levels and provide resources for faculty who are interested in incorporating sustainability themes into their classes. In an increasingly resource-constrained global marketplace, students need to develop their ability to think broadly about sustainability and its importance in commerce, technology, civic engagement, and global health.
3 .Environmental Systems and Global Health presenters were engaged in research at the intersection of these themes and translated their findings into innovative technologies and policy solutions to environmental and public health challenges regionally and globally.
4. CSR, Reporting, Certification, Regulatory and Legislative Perspectives panelists discussed these issues including board diversity, board sustainability committees, national guidelines for social performance, and state and federal legislation, especially as management, regulation and enforcement of reporting prove more and more challenging to the workforce.