Welcome
The research of 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.