THRIVE x KIN Purpose Accelerator Programme
The urgency of the climate crisis encourages us to collaborate and utilise the valuable knowledge we already possess. Therefore, we are excited about our partnership with THRIVE Institute. On 8 May, the Purpose Accelerator programme was launched, where seven talented PhD candidates from diverse backgrounds are applying their knowledge and skills to the societal mission of KIN.
"I want to further develop my knowledge and come up with sustainable solutions!"
KIN has partnered with THRIVE, the expert in creating impact and navigating complexity. Through THRIVE’s proven method, the “Purpose Accelerator,” a working group of multidisciplinary researchers has been formed to create an evidence base for climate valorisation under guided supervision.
Over the course of five months, the PhD students, alongside their (varied) research projects, will investigate successful examples of pilots and interventions in the areas of climate neutrality and resilience. In this way, they will learn how to best harness the potential of science for the climate transition. What must we organise to ensure that relevant insights from research lead to significant societal impact as quickly and effectively as possible?
The researchers dedicate four hours per week to training as knowledge brokers and to the practice of knowledge brokering itself. During this time, they learn from experts in the fields of knowledge brokering, valorisation, and system and climate transition. This gives them the opportunity to gain experience in addressing urgent and complex societal issues in practice. In this way, the researchers establish a solid evidence base and achieve concrete steps that will be useful for KIN’s future efforts.
For the individual researchers, this marks the beginning of their careers as knowledge brokers. Each one of them lays the foundation for a new type of profession where content experts stand with one foot in academia and the other outside it. In their future careers, they will strive to translate as many relevant scientific insights as possible into solutions for complex societal questions.
What are 'knowledge brokers'?
Knowledge brokers, are an essential link between science and practice, as they translate scientific insights into clear and practical applications for society. These pioneers make scientific knowledge accessible and applicable, for instance, by developing evidence-based policies or communicating scientific developments in an understandable way. By constantly staying in touch with the field and focusing on social and ecological impact, these knowledge brokers contribute to solving complex societal issues.
Jane Pauline Ramirez
Jane is a PhD candidate at TU Delft, specializing in Aerospace Engineering. She discovered the programme through her university, and her expertise in biomorphic intelligence brings a unique perspective to the project. Jane has a background in AI and is currently working on projects focused on the application of artificial intelligence in aerospace engineering. She hopes to gain new insights and contribute to climate resilience strategies.
Ugochukwu Orji
Ugochukwu, or Ugo, is a PhD candidate at Tilburg University with a focus on AI and data science for energy forecasting and sustainable energy integration. He came across the Purpose Accelerator programme through a university announcement. His work experience as an energy analyst provides him with a strong foundation in the application of predictive models in the energy industry. Ugo looks forward to developing his knowledge brokering skills and collaborating with others to promote sustainable energy solutions.
Maksim Sitnikov
Maksim is a PhD candidate at Tilburg University in Organization and Management Studies. He focuses on the dynamics of time in interorganizational relationships, specifically within the EU Emission Trading System. He was drawn to the programme by its emphasis on research impact and the practical application of empirical findings. Maksim expects the programme to enhance his knowledge brokering skills and expand his network, enabling him to effectively contribute to climate policy.
Martha Kosters
Martha is a PhD candidate at Utrecht University in Earth Sciences. She was inspired by a promotional email from THRIVE and decided to apply. Her background in geosciences and sustainable consultancy provides her with a broad knowledge framework to apply within the programme. Martha looks forward to learning about the complexities of implementing climate adaptation and mitigation strategies in practice.
Rianna Anwar Sani
Rianna graduated as a veterinarian and is currently pursuing her PhD at Utrecht University, focusing on antimicrobial use and resistance on poultry farms in Indonesia. She learned about the programme through the PhD network PROUT. Rianna’s experience as a veterinarian, along with her background in epidemiology and mixed-methods studies, brings valuable communication and analytical skills to the programme. She hopes to contribute to accelerating the transition to a climate-neutral society.
Ravi Ramesh
Ravi is a PhD candidate in Mechanical Engineering at TU Delft. He discovered the Purpose Accelerator programme through LinkedIn and found it a great complement to his interest in climate change and policy-making. Ravi has a background in aerospace engineering and a strong interest in fluid dynamics and weather patterns. He looks forward to collaborating with people from various disciplines and developing practical solutions for climate change.
Daniela Garcia-Caro
Daniela is a PhD researcher at Erasmus University Rotterdam, within the Initiative on the Dynamics of Inclusive Prosperity. Her academic background includes an MSc in Sustainable Development from Uppsala University and a specialized master’s in Agroecology, Food Sovereignty, Urban Ecology, and Rural Development Cooperation from Universidad de La Laguna. She encountered the Purpose Accelerator programme through her participation in THRIVE’s PhD Career Swifters programme. Daniela brings valuable knowledge and experience in agroecology, food systems, law and policy, and sustainability transitions. Her involvement in local initiatives such as the food cooperative Biobulkbende provides her with a practical perspective on transition projects. Daniela looks forward to learning how to effectively communicate her findings and perspectives and contribute to KIN’s mission.
Recaps of the sessions
After each session, THRIVE posts a recap on LinkedIn. You can read the recaps here:
- Session 1, May 8th 2024
- Session 2, May 22nd 2024
- Session 3, June 5th 2024
- Session 4, June 19th 2024
- Session 5, July 3rd 2024
- Session 6, July 17th 2024
- Session 7, July 25th 2024
- Video update, August 7th 2024
- Additional session given by Sanli, September 4th 2024
- (Session 8 did not have a recap)
- Session 9, September 25th 2024
We like to keep you in the loop
Do you have specific questions about this programme, THRIVE, or the researchers? Feel free to contact us. We look forward to the upcoming sessions and are happy to keep you informed about the progress of these talented PhD students.
Van complexiteit tot succesvorm: een recap van THRIVE Purpose Accelerator tot nu toe en lessen uit het PhD-onderzoek
Time flies when you’re having fun! Met de start in mei, zijn we alweer halverwege de 5 maand-durende KIN Purpose Accelerator! De afgelopen weken hebben 7 getalenteerde PhD-kandidaten onderzoek gedaan met als doel het creëren van een evidence basis klimaatvalorisatie. Eind oktober worden de resultaten opgeleverd, maar in de tussentijd delen wij graag alvast de lessons learned so far.
Photos and impressions
Photos may be freely used for non-commercial purposes, and they can definitely be shared in a LinkedIn post! When using them, please credit Jasmijn de Lange and, where possible, include www.jasmijnlina.com. Tag on Instagram @by.jasmijnlina
Documents and downloads
📄 Casus Purpose Accelerator KIN
This document outlines the program. It includes, among other things, the rationale, challenge, themes, and intended impact.
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