Universities responding to the call for sustainability: A typology of sustainability centres

Abstract Universities worldwide are experiencing a growing trend to respond to the need for sustainability. Sustainability centres are one key aspect in the sustainability transitions of universities. Until currently, these centres have been relatively neglected by research. This exploratory study makes a solid contribution to the scholarship and understanding of the various means by which universities are responding to the societal challenge of sustainability by analysing a sample of 44 sustainability centres across the world to increase understanding of the characteristics and roles of these centres in contributing to sustainability. Furthermore, the study identifies four types of centres differing in their goals, objects, scope and scale of research, knowledge production and outreach activities. The typology of the centres can be applied for example when new centres are established or when centres identify or redefine their profiles. The authors suggest further research concerning sustainability centres, given their central role as nodes of sustainability research, education and co-creation in sustainability transformation.