TU-SDG Research NetworkTU-SDG
In a research community full of intelligentsia, there is an old saying that goes, a rising tide lifts all boats. The statement coincides with the objectives of the recent project initiated by SDSN Thailand in collaboration with Thammasat University to mobilize experts, facilitate and create the synergy among TU researchers to collaboratively develop innovative research and policies needed to achieve the SDGS. One of those objectives that really stands out is to promote and support Frontier Research, which is characterized by cross-disciplinary integrated research, aimed at addressing global challenges and fostering collaboration with international research institutions.
With sufficient knowledge infrastructure for empowering and capacity building, SDSN Thailand and Thammasat University want to build a community of cross-disciplinary practice among researchers and develop frontier research clusters to foster collaboration between them and those outside the university, up to the global level.
One of the outstanding examples is the ongoing collaboration between Thammasat University and Princeton University, USA, under the “Net Zero Thailand” project, with researchers from the Faculty of Economics and Sirindhorn International Institute of Technology as the two main groups to initiate and drive collaboration with researchers from various faculties within the university and external network partners.
The main goal is to create a model for scenarios that reflect the debate on net-zero greenhouse gas emissions using linear assessment with the best available data and downscaling to the local level. The focus is on studying the scale, complexity, cost, and policy implications of the main alternatives in each scenario, as well as analyzing the primary impacts of these choices on society, economy, and environment. The project outcomes will indicate what the country needs to do to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas reduction and what policy decisions the country needs to make.
However, challenges remained especially on finding the project’s principal researcher who has the expertise and can serve as a team leader. Finding a team for knowledge communication personnel was also delayed, causing the knowledge communication operations to start about 3 months later than planned. Additionally, the knowledge communication team had to work in tandem with researchers, as they needed to use topics from researchers to create communication articles, further contributing to delays in this area.
Coordination with relevant research units within the university encountered some obstacles, leading to increased time requirements and the postponement of some project activities.
Pushing for policy changes and support mechanisms for university research also requires time and thorough understanding among all stakeholders, both at policy and operational levels.
In conclusion, the results of the first year of project implementation have laid the foundation for mechanisms to support and promote cutting-edge research and cross-disciplinary integrated research at the university, as follows:
Firstly, we witness the emergence of a cross-disciplinary research community at Thammasat University, resulting from various project activities that facilitated meetings, introductions, and knowledge exchange between researchers from different disciplines, including both senior and early-career researchers.
Secondly, the project has established collaborations between research units/faculties of Thammasat University to conduct cross-disciplinary integrated research. There is the development of researchers’ potential in sustainable development, equipping them with knowledge and new research approaches that can be applied within their areas of expertise, creating research that leads to solutions for sustainable development issues in society and communities.
Thirdly, we have seen the development of Frontier Research Clusters to foster collaboration and work between cross-disciplinary researchers both within and outside the university, as well as to elevate research to an international level. The development and enhancement of concrete policies and mechanisms are already supporting sustainable development research at Thammasat University, ready for international collaboration. Lastly but not least, a central platform has been created for communicating knowledge and cross-disciplinary integrated research on sustainable development at the university.
