Research group Research Institute for Organization and Business in Sustainable Transitions (ROBUST) strives to be a force for change in a sustainable and ethical direction. This is achieved by developing and communicate research, and by training and interacting in relation to business-related decision making.
Questions on the individual and organizational levels are focused and a diversity of perspectives and methods is seen as necessary to analyse globally recognized social and environmental problems. Different types of organizational forms are studied and activities at the institute involve researchers from all research areas at Umeå School of Business, Economics and Statistics (USBE) at Umeå University and also researchers and networks within and outside the University of Umeå.
The purposes of the institute are to:
At ROBUST we are always interested in coming in contact with companies, organizations, networks, researchers, students and the public to discuss sustainability and business ethics.
If wish to contact the institute you can reach us by mail at robust.usbe@umu.se or by contacting staff. We also have a mailing list where you can subscribe to news about the institute.
Responsible for the institute is Siarhei Manzhynski at Umeå School of Business, Economics and Statistics, Umeå University.
ROBUST is a member of Cradlenet, a Nordic network that supports businesses and organizations in transition to circular economy.
The prize is awarded to John Pettersson and William Di Francesco, Luleå University of Technology.
Thesis on a fossil-free future wins Umeå Sustainability Prize for theses in business administration.
Greening the economy? - Critical dialogues on energy transitions in the Bothnia region.
Turning challenging moments into growth opportunities.
On antibiotic resistance, the future of milk, and the challenge of making the right choice as a consumer.
On social innovations for ecological crises, and ups and downs of doing a PhD.
On strong sustainability, social innovation and the existential dimension of research work.
On societal challenges in Sweden and Vietnam and being a researcher with a multicultural background.
On studying coopetition, taking a second PhD degree, and doing things with mindfulness.
On passion for sustainability education and new ways to think about accounting.
On climate transitions in the transportation system, opportunities and risks of circular economy.
Sally Russell is the Chair of Sustainability and Organisational Behaviour at the School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds. Her research focuses broadly on behaviour change and examines factors that affect individual, group, and organisational responses to environmental issues. She is particularly interested in the role of emotion in decision-making in relation to environmental issues. Her recent work centered on food waste interventions.
In all areas of her research, Sally works closely with industrial partners to ensure that her research contributes scientifically and practically to the development of more sustainable ways of doing business.
During her time at USBE and ROBUST, Sally will participate in development of new research collaborations and projects, share her expertise, and support PhD students and young researchers. Guest professorship is for 3 years on a 10% basis. One physical visit to Umeå is planned for every year.
Sally will introduce herself and her recent research project at the FEK-seminar on January 25th!
The 2026 Umeå Sustainability Prize for theses in business administration has been awarded to John Pettersson and William Di Francesco from Luleå University of Technology. Their winning thesis examines how green innovations can be developed and scaled, focusing on Swedish biocarbon for metallurgy. The winners receive a scholarship worth 25,000 SEK, awarded by ROBUST in collaboration with Umeå Energi.
Greening the economy? - Critical dialogues on energy transitions in the Bothnia region.
A selection of research published by RiseB researchers.
Umeå sustainability prize for theses in business administration
On antibiotic resistance, the future of milk, and the challenge of making the right choice as a consumer.
On social innovations for ecological crises, and ups and downs of doing a PhD.
On strong sustainability, social innovation and the existential dimension of research work.
