Introduction
NIU’s Sustainability Futures Institute (SFI) serves as a clearinghouse for our futures research and sustainability initiatives. Our research is aimed at providing essential scientific support for environmental, social and economic policy development, implementation and broader decision making. Our sustainability initiatives are designed to increase local and global understanding of our environment, the challenges it faces and responses. SFI is also geared towards developing high quality research capacity and supporting innovation that is internationally respected.
Vision
NIU’s Sustainability Futures Institute (SFI) serves as a clearinghouse for our futures research and sustainability initiatives. Our research is aimed at providing essential scientific support for environmental, social and economic policy development, implementation and broader decision making. Our sustainability initiatives are designed to increase local and global understanding of our environment, the challenges it faces and responses. SFI is also geared towards developing high quality research capacity and supporting innovation that is internationally respected.
Mission
To use broad-based research, practice-led curricular and partnerships in generating knowledge and innovations that underpin the protection and improvement of our natural environment and human health.
Research Framework
SFI research is targeted at addressing the needs of key governmental and non-governmental stakeholders using the following frameworks:
- UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- Global Framework for Climate Services
- EU-Africa Research and Innovation Partnership on Climate Change and Sustainable Energy.
Our passion for research and knowledge transfer is translated into accessible life changing opportunities for the communities we serve. Research at SFI provides a platform for our researcher community to engage with governments, businesses and other stakeholders.
Research Outcomes
SFI research outcomes are mainly used to:
- Identify pressures: Providing assessments of current environmental and sustainability status and future trends to identify pressures on our environment. Techniques used include using relevant frameworks, participatory techniques/stakeholder engagements and social network analysis.
- Inform policy: Generating evidence, reviewing practices and building models to inform policy development and implementation: Techniques used include influencing policy at different scales, working with policy and decision makers and other stakeholders.
- Develop solutions: Using novel technologies and methods that address environmental challenges and provide green economic opportunities. Techniques used include working with governments, non-governmental organisations, communities, progressive/action research, and community engagement workshops.
SFI Research Units
Nakanwagi
Orashida
Coordinator
Sustainable Transport & Mobility
Amos Chom
Haruna
Coordinator
Sustainable Housing
Adeleye
Bamiji
Coordinator
Sustainable Energy Planning & Land use