Digital Sustainability Transformation of, by and for the TUM

Sustainability and digitization are two of the key challenges of our time. Both transformations must be actively shaped, whereby it is crucial to think "sustainability" and "digitization" not only as two separate megatrends but examine their intersections and interplays. Universities like the TUM have a central role to play in shaping the digital and sustainable transformation: they are learning venues for sustainable/digital development with the goal to educate people; they serve as fora for public discussions and as hubs to connect important stakeholders; they are important incubators for innovations; and they (should) also function as role models for the society.

This course consists of a virtual lecture series that examines the question of digitainable transformations across four issue areas: 1) common good AI in smart cities, 2) intelligent sustainable mobility, 3) circular economy & smart waste management, and 4) green finance. We will devote three session to each thematic area, and explore it from various angles including participatory workshops, roundtables with experts from academia, stakeholders and/or political actors. Each session will be organized in cooperation with stakeholders from Munich and beyond in order to discuss the mutual opportunities and challenges of sustainability and digitization at various levels. While the focus will be on projects in Munich and Bavaria, topics will also be addressed at a national, supranational and global level.

After successful participation in this course, students are able:
- to understand and to critically discuss key aspects linked to sustainable and digital transformations;
- to analyze how they can actively shape big transformations in their immidiate vicinity.

This course is aimed at all students enrolled in a Master program at the TUM; it is thus designed as an interdisciplinary venue which brings together a range of scientific perspectives. No specific prior knowledge is required. We are highly encouraging students from other schools and departements at TUM to participate in the lecture series in order to ensure a diverse, interdisciplinary approach.

The lecture combines (pre-recorded) videos and online presentations, with podcasts and interviews. To facilitate active participation with the content of the lectures, Q&A sessions, online discussions will be combined with offline workshops. Depending on the development of the Corona-pandemic, it is planned to hold 1/3 of the classes in person as participatory workshops, and 2/3 of the classes as online discussions.

The course is planned as a hybrid event combining online tools and in-person sessions (depending on the development of the Covid-19 pandemic). Depending on the development of the Corona-pandemic, it is planned to hold 1/3 of the classes in person as participatory workshops, and 2/3 of the classes as online discussions.

Sterling, St. et al. 2013. The Sustainable University. London: Routledge.
Filho, W. L. & P. Pace 2016. Teaching Education for Sustainable Development at University Level. Cham: Springer International.
Filho, W. L. et al. (eds.). 2019. Universities as Living Labs for Sustainable Development. Cham: Springer International.
Heinrichs, H. et al. (eds.). 2016. Sustainability Science. An Introduction. Cham: Springer International.

Students have to actively contribute to the lecture by participating in the discussions and writing two policy briefs of ~5 pages each. Each policy brief has to focus on a different thematic area of the lecture (see below). Each policy brief counts 50% to the final grade.