SDSN Thailand Hosts the 6th Thailand Research University Network Summit

SDSN Thailand host institution, Thammasat University, was honored to host the annual conference of the Thailand Research University Network (RUN) on January 22 - 23, 2024. The conference was held at the Grand Palazzo Hotel Pattaya in the Chonburi Province, Thailand with the theme of “enhancing research impact for sustainability transformation.” 

The conference started with a declaration ceremony of the cooperation between the Thailand Research University Network (RUN) and SDSN Thailand. RUN’s eight university representatives (five of which are SDSN members), Chulalongkorn University, Thammasat University, Prince of Songkla University, Chiangmai University, Khonkaen University, Kasetsart University, Naresuan University, and Mahidol University, each addressed their future collaboration with SDSN Thailand.

Professor Dr. Sanit Aksornkaew, the Chairman of The National Economic and Social Development Council and SDSN Thailand Leadership Council, represented SDSN Thailand in delivering a speech of appreciation on the collaboration with RUN.

Professor John Thwaites, Chairman of the SDSN Association Board, was invited to give the keynote speech on the “role of transdisciplinary research and higher education for sustainability transformation in the age of global conflicts."


During the conference, participants also joined a breakout session on “sustainability research dialogue,” which featured discussions around eight thematic groups: (1) Human Well-being; (2) Regional Cooperation for Sustainable Development; (3) Sustainable Food Systems; (4) Climate Mitigation; (5) Inclusive and Sustainable Infrastructure; (6) Disruptive and Emerging Technology for Sustainability; (7) Biodiversity Preservation; and (8) Education for Sustainable Development. New research topics and how to accelerate transdisciplinary research across different universities as well as scale the impact of research utilization were discussed.