Uit de Ivoren Toren (Out of the Ivory Tower) podcast series brought together researchers from Leiden, Delft, and Erasmus universities to discuss urgent sustainability challenges. With episodes covering topics such as the energy transition, the circular economy, sustainable agriculture, and even waste management in hospitals, the series makes cutting-edge academic insights accessible to a broader audience. The goal: to share scientific expertise beyond university walls and inspire new ways of thinking about a more sustainable future.
In 2021-2022, Deborah hosted this podcast.

Recording of “Ontwerpen voor de circulaire economie“

The circular economy—you’ve probably heard about it or discussed it. Often, the conversation quickly turns to recycling, but it’s much more than that. Product design, for example, also plays a crucial role. But how exactly does that work? How do you design products in a circular way?

In this episode, there’s no professor or scientist as a guest. Instead, former host Fenna Plaisier puts current host Deborah Sumter in the hot seat. Deborah recently completed 4.5 years of PhD research on the competencies needed for circular design. What did she discover?