Johan Schot

Johannes Willem "Johan" Schot (born 4 February 1961) is a Dutch historian working in the field of science and technology policy. A historian of technology and an expert in sustainability transitions, Johan Schot is Professor of Global Comparative History at the Centre for Global Challenges, Utrecht University. Quotes A lot of things happen because people do not respond. Fighting indifference is key, also for researchers. I see how it is difficult or frightening for many researchers to think about the great challenges of our time. They prefer to work on smaller issues that can be researched more easily, and this is also justified since science advances in this way... It’s important to reflect on our relationship with the world and research is obviously public and funded through the government so there’s an obligation for scholars to contribute to the public good as best as they can by means of researching or teaching. The lack of finance certainly is a key challenge. It’s been calculated that the sustainability revolution requires trillions of dollars. Private investors, including pension funds, institutional investors, and impact investors, seek returns on their investments. In contrast, government funding, often referred to as concessionary finance, does not require immediate financial returns. Governments, however, expect that their investments will stimulate economic development and growth, leading to long-term benefits. Despite these differences, both public and private actors aim to improve the world and make it a better place. This common goal fosters a collaborative environment where each sector’s unique strengths and perspectives can be leveraged to drive transformative change. The model where the government withdraws once the market is developed is flawed. The government needs to stay involved to drive further, long-term progress. When considering fiduciary duty in the private sector, particularly for pension funds, it’s often argued that their primary obligation is to create wealth by generating high returns to secure future pensions. However, this narrow focus on returns overlooks the broader societal and environmental impacts of their investments. Oftentimes, private investors are constrained because the risks of investing in certain areas are too high. Public investors have historically played a crucial role in de-risking these ventures, for instance investing in railways in the 19th century. In a historical perspective, there is a lot of positive things to say about this world in terms of reduction of poverty and democratizing of access to mobility and communication, for example, yet it has become clear that this world is not sustainable anymore in the long run, it is in need of a transition, or series of transitions or transformations. Historic circulation perspectives do not consider the United Kingdom to be the epicentre of an industrial revolution which was diffused outwards in the holds of East India Company steamers. Rather, it is a nation seen as a node in a wider network which appropriated benefits from other nodes around the world. External links Category:1961 births Category:Historians from the Netherlands Category:Academics from the Netherlands Category:Living people