“Closeness within COLOURS has many advantages”

The CoLab series is organized under the European University COLOURS initiative. Karin was already somewhat familiar with the network through her role as an affiliated researcher within the FOHRK research profile (Centre for Food, Health and Retail at Kristianstad University). When asked if she would like to join the Paderborn gathering, she immediately said yes. At the end of June, she took part in Communicating Green Transitions.

“I thought it sounded exciting since I am passionate about issues of sustainable development—both in my teaching role and as a researcher,” Karin explains.

She was also invited to sit on a panel discussion about the green transition.

A dynamic exchange of ideas

“It was a great opportunity to share what we are doing at Kristianstad University and to learn from other COLOURS colleagues,” says Karin.

The panel brought together professors from Paderborn specializing in strategic communication on sustainability, alongside industry representatives working with green transition in different ways. Karin’s colleagues Mats Åhlander and Fredrika Braw were able to follow the debate digitally from Sweden.

“There was a real dynamic in the discussion because we all came from different fields. And it was fantastic to see so many Paderborn students in the audience, asking thoughtful questions.”

The program also included study visits, short lectures, and workshops where participants explored how issues connected to the green transition can be integrated into teaching and applied across different sectors.

Networks that help collaborations grow

Throughout the event, Karin emphasized the benefits of expanding networks and strengthening collaboration—both central to the COLOURS vision.

“Collaboration is really one of the cornerstones of COLOURS—between universities and with external partners,” she says.

The workshops encouraged participants to reflect on practical challenges, such as how to build societies based on green transition, how to adapt teaching, and how to work more closely with companies. Karin points out that some of this is already being done:

“In one of my courses, for instance, we have connected to COLOURS by looking at international student mobility and its climate impact.”

Karin also draws on her experience as coordinator for PRME Champions (Principles for Responsible Management Education), with a focus on the UN Sustainable Development Goals. She sees a clear strength in the closeness between European universities within COLOURS.

“We are fairly similar since these are all European institutions, but different networks serve different functions. Proximity makes collaboration easier. Shorter distances mean more opportunities for visits, guest lectures, and student mobility. Of course, there are cultural differences, but there are also strong similarities—for example, in how education is structured—compared with collaborations between Sweden and South America.”

Belonging and inspiration

Although Karin enjoys attending these kinds of events on her own, she emphasizes that she always represents Kristianstad University.

“That sense of belonging is important, and it’s an honor to represent HKR. At the same time, when I arrived in Paderborn it felt completely natural to be part of the COLOURS community.”

For Karin, the conversations in Paderborn underlined the importance of embedding sustainability and the green transition across universities, in teaching, and in society at large.

“This is crucial if we are to meet the challenges of the future and understand complex issues like climate change. What I really take with me is the value of collaboration—with people who bring different perspectives. That’s when something new happens. This is knowledge in collaboration, which is also part of our university’s pedagogical profile. And I’ve already made new connections, starting on LinkedIn, that I hope will lead to future collaborations.”