Cultivating Nature Connectedness

This research project stems from the notion that a transition toward active ecological regeneration and social cohesion is needed to enable all life forms to flourish. Taking on such a vantage point suggests that we must address a growing disconnect within nature—between humans and the ecosystems they are part of—which shows itself in excessive consumption and over-exploitation of all natural resources. 

To foster a shift away from prevailing, exploitative business practices, a paradigmatic change in business education is inevitable. Business schools are called upon to embrace a (un)learning challenge that prioritizes ecological interdependence and planetary responsibility. Expressly, to adopt educational practices that deepen students' Connectedness with Nature (CWN) cultivating relational capabilities for advancing regenerative business practices. However, business education remains largely tethered to traditional frameworks that tend to be singular—emphasizing traditional economic thinking—linear, extractive, and exploitive, lacking integration of transdisciplinary perspectives. Therefore, this research seeks to design and implement an educational intervention within business education that fosters CWN and creates the conditions for students and organizations to (re)connect with nature, others, and themselves as nature to make future business practices more regenerative. 

Employing an Educational Design Research approach, this study explores current practices, identifies challenges and enablers to CWN enactment, and leverages ecopedagogical insights to develop and refine a CWN-focused educational intervention. The intervention’s impact on students’ cognitive, affective, and experiential dimensions will be evaluated. 

Target group

The findings are anticipated to contribute actionable strategies for integrating CWN in business education, advancing both academic discourse and practice in sustainability education, particularly within business schools.

Duration

September 2024 – August 2028

Team

PhD Candidate: Ananda Wyss, Wageningen University and Research 

Promotion Team:
Promotor: Prof. Dr. Ir. Arjen E.J. Wals, Wageningen University and Research

Co-Promotors: Prof. Dr. Michael von Kutzschenbach, Institute of Management, FHNW, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bas van den Berg, Center of Expertise Mission Zero, THUAS.

Contact

Dr. Bas van den Berg
[email protected]