Schedule:
25 March 2026 | 10:00–12:00
PINS9300: Digital introduction to the course (seminar), digital teaching22 April 2026 | 08:30–15:15
PINS9300: Seminar, Pilestredet 35, Ellen Gleditschs hus, room PI26123 April 2026 | 08:30–14:15
PINS9300: Seminar, Pilestredet 35, Ellen Gleditschs hus, room PI26124 April 2026 | 08:30–12:15
PINS9300: Seminar, Pilestredet 35, Ellen Gleditschs hus, room PI261
About the Course:
ECTS: 5
Course Content:
Innovation is an essential part of developing sustainability. Society needs new thinking, new technology, and alternative perspectives on value. This course provides candidates with a solid theoretical foundation and the ability to design and implement research projects within sustainability (e.g. corporate sustainability, sustainable development, environmental management, transformation management, and social entrepreneurship) and innovation (e.g. social innovation, technological innovation, and innovative business models).
The course content may be abbreviated and adapted to fit the interests of the course participants in cooperation with the supervisors.
Course Themes:
The course addresses the following non-exclusive themes in sustainability and innovation:
Sustainability and innovation
Definitions and concepts
Professions, participation, and management of sustainable innovation
Learning Outcomes:
Upon completing the course, candidates are expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes in terms of knowledge, skills, and general competence.
Knowledge:
The candidate:
Has a deep understanding of theories, documents, concepts, and definitions within sustainable innovation and entrepreneurship
Has advanced knowledge of organizational, institutional, economic, and business-based innovation for sustainability
Has a nuanced understanding of the multiple challenges involved in developing innovative sustainable solutions for a fair society
Has knowledge of professions and the role of professions in sustainable innovation
Skills:
The candidate:
Can critically examine and challenge established thinking and solutions to “wicked” and complex problems
Can collaborate and contribute across disciplines related to sustainable innovation
Can apply a sustainability-oriented approach to scientific problem identification and development work
General Competence:
The candidate:
Can identify new, relevant research problems and challenge established knowledge and practice within sustainable innovation
Can contribute to new, advanced knowledge and insight within sustainable innovation and entrepreneurship based on scientific judgement and integrity
Can communicate research and development work to society as well as through recognized academic channels such as workshops, conferences, and academic journals
Course Requirements:
Active participation in the seminars is required in order to adequately understand the course material and themes. Preparation and participation are mandatory. Candidates are expected to attend all teaching days and are required to attend at least 80% of the teaching sessions.
In special cases of documented illness, exceptions may be granted by the course leader. In such cases, lack of participation may be compensated through alternative arrangements, such as writing a reflection note.
Course requirements are assessed as confirmed or not confirmed. All course requirements must be completed and confirmed by the given deadline in order to be eligible to submit the final essay.
The course requirements are:
A plenary presentation on a topic agreed upon with the course lecturer
A prepared opposition to at least one other presentation
Grading Scale:
Assessment is pass/fail. If an essay is graded as fail, the candidate is given one opportunity to resubmit a revised essay within a specified time period.
Permitted Examination Materials and Equipment:
All examination support materials are permitted, provided that proper source referencing and quotation practices are followed.
Attendance Requirement:
A minimum of 80% attendance is required.
Assessment:
Assessment consists of confirmed participation in the course and an approved final essay.
The final assessment is an individual essay of 4,000–5,000 words. The essay should discuss the most important theoretical aspects of the syllabus, with relevance to the candidate’s PhD project, and be written within the candidate’s field of research as a foundation for a potential journal publication.
The candidate must select a relevant academic journal. The essay should primarily emphasize the theoretical component of a potential submission. The cover page, illustrations, and reference list are not included in the word count.
Examiners:
The final essay is assessed by the course lecturer and one additional examiner. External examiners are used regularly. Assessment is based on the course learning outcomes.
Course Contact Persons:
Tale Skjølsvik – tale.skjolsvik@oslomet.no