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Socio-Environmental Dynamics Research Group (SONYA)
SONYA is a research center that brings different perspectives and disciplines into dialogue to study the connections between society and the environment.
Socio-Environmental Dynamics Research Group (SONYA)
Our work contributes to both empirical and fundamental research on socio-environmental dynamics, with the aim of supporting a transition toward a sustainable society through teaching and participation in societal debates.
Socio-Environmental Dynamics Research Group (SONYA)
Members of SONYA mainly teach within the Master’s program in Environmental Science and Management and are also involved in the CIVIS Master TRACEE.
Socio-Environmental Dynamics Research Group (SONYA)
In close collaboration with iiTSE, the SONYA team also contributes to the doctoral training of PhD candidates working on socio-ecological transformations.
Socio-Environmental Dynamics Research Group (SONYA)
Beyond scientific outputs, SONYA also develops an active presence in a wide range of societal and political debates, cooperating with various print, audiovisual, and social media in Belgium and beyond.
Les actualités de SONYA
SWIFFT Collective launched
April 2, 2026
On 3 December 2025, the SWIFFT Collective held its launch event at the iconic Flagey, Studio 4. This unique moment brought together members of the Collective, researchers from across Belgium, organisations working on climate, energy, and the social economy in Europe, as well as public institutions from Belgium to the EU level. Check the aftermovie here
Conference of the Sustainable Welfare and Eco-Social Policy Network
April 2, 2026
Co-organised by SONYA researchers in Brussels from 9 to 11 September 2026.
Kick-off CIVIS TRACEE at Salzburg
March 28, 2026
During a 3 day visit at PLUS in Saltzburg, Constance Albert, Emy Scheer and Wouter Achten joined the 2nd semester kick-off with the CIVIS TRACEE students. Besides getting to know each other, and a joint feeld trip, we prepared the students for their future stay (2026-2027) at the ULB through ateliers and workshops to let emerge master dissertation and internship subjects and research questions.
Conférence-débat avec Salomé Saqué « Extrême Droite, Ecocide et Résistances»
March 19, 2026
Ce 18 mars, Salomé Saqué, journaliste et autrice, est venue présenter la conférence "Extrême-droite, écocide et résistance !" La présentation a été suivie d’une discussion avec les étudiant.e.s du Master en sciences et gestion de l’environnement et Chloé Deligne, Chercheuse en histoire environnementale (FNRS-ULB) Cette discussion a été modérée par Louise Knops (SONYA-ULB).
SONYA contribue au débat public sur la construction d’une protection sociale-écologique en Belgique
September 30, 2025
En collaboration avec d’autres chercheur·es de l’UCLouvain, de l’ULB et de Sciences Po Paris, nos collègues Aurore Fransolet et Tom Bauler ont participé à une recherche proposant des pistes concrètes pour adapter le système de protection sociale belge aux risques sociaux-écologiques. Ce travail, qui a trouvé un large écho dans la presse et auprès de nombreux acteurs, entend contribuer au débat public et politique sur le futur de la protection sociale face aux défis du 21e siècle.
“Embedding social justice in EU climate and sustainability governance”
July 9, 2025
On 19 June 2025, in Brussels, Louis Florin participated at a roundtable discussion on “Embedding social justice in EU climate and sustainability governance” at the closing conference of the GreenDeal-NET about “Rethinking EU Climate and Sustainability Governance in an Age of Disruption”.
Members of the LAMARTRA team presented their work
July 9, 2025
On Monday 26th May, researchers, policymakers, social partners, and civil society actors gathered at the National Labour Council / Central Economic Council to discuss about how to achieve a just and democratic transition towards a low-carbon economy.
Publications récentes
Tracking Africa's trajectory toward sustainability by Edgar Towa and colleagues
April 2, 2026
An assessment of environmental and socioeconomic impacts
Notice sur « Eco-émotion » dans le dictionnaire sur l’Anthropocène
April 2, 2026
By Louise Knops & Léna Zilberzahn
Role Reversal: When Activists Are Treated Like Criminals.
April 2, 2026
Une publication collective qui fait suite à une table ronde organisée par iiTSE avec deux autrices de SONYA, Fanny Vrydag et Louise Knops
La recension critique de l’ouvrage de Edwin Zaccai « Contradictions Ordinaires »
April 2, 2026
by Louise Knops
Nouvel article d’Aurore Fransolet dans Ecological Economics : Mapping Visions of a Just Transition
April 2, 2026
Aurore Fransolet a publié un nouvel article dans Ecological Economics intitulé « Mapping visions of a just transition: A Q survey of Belgian stakeholders », co-écrit avec Marek Hudon, Adriano La Gioia et Sandrine Meyer.
Comparative life cycle assessment of industrial and artisanal spirulina production systems
April 2, 2026
New article published based on the work of one of our masterstudents that graduated last june.
Protest and the Ambiguous Politics of Indignation
April 2, 2026
Publication of single-authored manuscript by Prof. Louise Knops, based on her PhD work “Protest and the Ambiguous Politics of Indignation”, Mobilization Series, Routledge, 2025.