Strengthening Scientists and Engineers Appreciation of the Real World

Abstract

This introduces the increased emphasis on society’s relationship with academic research and how to strengthen students’ experience outside the research laboratory. This is already one of the objectives in the ELTP, but is also expected to gain importance as the new approach to international global environmental change under Future Earth gains momentum. This will require researchers to improve communications with society and its stakeholders, requiring researchers to hone their communication skills and ability to envisage the interests and viewpoints of different stakeholders. The field of environmental economics brings together many aspects of sustainability and its compatibility with the economic system, and this chapter raises a number of questions (including those emerging after the 2011 tsunami and Fukushima nuclear disaster) designed to encourage students to apply a more system-wide and lateral thinking.