Welcome
As of September 2012, the new Environmental Social Science Department
will be founded assembling several social science research groups at
Eawag.
Welcome
The research of the department for Innovation Research in Utility Sectors (Cirus) mainly focuses on sustainable innovation and
transformation processes of infrastructures. Research within Cirus is based on
recent innovation and transformation theories from science and technology
studies (STS) as well as evolutionary and institutional economics. From a
methodological point of view, Cirus has a particular strength in qualitative
approaches, scenario techniques and foresighting. Cirus has an interdisciplinary
team of researchers with educations in economics, business administration,
sociology, geography and political sciences.
In a number of projects, Cirus is analysing sustainable innovation and transformation processes in the field of urban water management and energy supply. Its main research foci are dealing with the analysis of innovation systems, strategic planning and innovation management in infrastructure sectors as well as governance studies. An overarching objective is formulating encompassing policy approaches for modulating system change towards more sustainable sector structures (transition management, strategic niche management, sustainability foresight).
Being based at a research institute with a strong focus on natural and engineering sciences, team members have headed and participated in several national and international inter- and transdisciplinary research projects. Currently, collaborators of Cirus are lecturing at the University of Berne, Lucerne and ETH Zurich.