Inaugural Meeting of CERN – Circular Economy Research Network Asia Pacific

A network of academics, practitioners, and policy-makers promoting, adopting, and researching circular economy

CERN held its first meeting on 14 July 2022 and was hosted by RMIT University. The meeting was organised by the Dutch Embassy, RMIT University and Monash University. The meeting brought together CE researchers, practitioners, academics, and enthusiasts, with over 160 registered participants. The meeting commenced with Prof. Usha Iyer-Raniga, RMIT University and Prof. Amrik Sohal, Monash University sharing their experience and thoughts on the current research in the CE space. They stressed an urgency to establish alliances and research collaboration mechanisms among academics across universities, in order to coordinate research to avoid overlaps and deliver a holistic and comprehensive view of the CE landscape. Former Dutch Minister of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment and Emeritus Professor of Sustainable Innovation, Dr Jacqueline Cramer spoke about the challenges of adopting the circular economy in the firmly established linear economy. The resounding message from the meeting was to collaborate with others outside of the academia as this will offer new angles, theories, and methods, produce novel skills, and consequently enrich research and yield a well-rounded outcome. As a network to coordinate cooperation between academic groups, government, and industry, CERN welcomes all who are promoting, researching, and studying CE. Together with its multi-disciplinary members, CERN will actively bridge the gaps and open a gateway to knowledge sharing, communication, and collaboration in promoting, adopting, and researching CE.

If you are interested in joining this network, please use this link to register: https://forms.gle/TGHEtwciaghpFSg26

Photo credits: Mohana Motiei