20 October 2022. ARCS is a global partnership of top academic institutions on sustainability research in management. “Joining ARCS is a wonderful step forward in the university’s sustainability strategy. It provides a network of top scholars and universities for research on social and environmental grand challenges in the context of business”, says Prof. Dr. Judith Walls. She is Professor of Sustainability Management and Co-Director of the Institute for Economy and the Environment (IWÖ-HSG) and University Delegate for Responsibility & Sustainability.
Integration of sustainability into research activities
As environmental issues, like climate change and biodiversity loss, have grown in complexity, scope and urgency, there is growing recognition that proactive engagement and leadership of the business sector is required. To support businesses in developing solutions for these challenges, rigorous and practically relevant research is key. At HSG, we aim to foster the integration of sustainability into our research activities and developing research excellence as expressed in the environmental sustainability strategy and the HSG Strategic Plan 2025. Being an institutional member of ARCS provides a great opportunity for HSG faculty to exchange with top researchers and gain access to data in order to promote excellent sustainability research.
ARCS was started by several elite US universities, such as Dartmouth College, Duke University, Harvard University, University of Michigan, University of Virginia, and University of Western Ontario, in 2007 to encourage rigor in research that is also highly relevant in the context of society and nature. “The University of St.Gallen is honoured to join this impressive network of 26 leading academic institutions to address some of the most pressing societal challenges through collaborative sustainability scholarship”, says Dr. Peter Lindstrom, Director of External Relations. ARCS holds a yearly conference and other sessions and activities throughout the year to provide data and networking opportunities to its members.