UAUCUU Student Research Exchange Collected Papers 2025 Published

Every year students from the University of Aruba (UA) and University College Utrecht (UCU) work together on community-based research projects for sustainable development in small island states. Their findings are shared with the public during a symposium at the UA and in a book publication. This program started in 2015 and is now in its tenth annual volume.

The volume (that can be accessed here) includes research reports and personal reflections written by the 2025 participants of the UAUCUU student research exchange program. This year’s 17 student researchers, include thesis-year students from the University of Aruba’s Sustainable Island Solutions through STEM (SISSTEM) program and students from University College Utrecht and the Global Sustainability Science program at Utrecht University. Like in the past, the students have been working on research in and about Aruba, and supporting each other’s progress.

The content of this volume focuses on a range of fields, including engineering and water management, data sciences, sustainable agriculture, economics, cognitive science, linguistics and history education. The topics include sustainability in food security, renewable energy and resource management, inclusive education and language practices. All the contributors are still engaged in interpreting and presenting their findings and will conclude these in consultancy reports or bachelor theses derived from the outcomes of the projects showcased here. Additionally, the authors each wrote a personal reflection regarding the individual benefits of engaging in community-based research, which precedes their papers.