FERNS (Holistic integration of eco-friendly design tools and materials, fabrication technologies for the responsible co-creation of future sustainable integrated electronic systems) is a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network that trains 15 doctoral researchers (DRs) to embed circularity into the design, fabrication, integration and societal adoption of electronic systems.

Project Vision

FERNS addresses the urgent challenge of electronic waste, resource depletion and the environmental footprint of digital technologies. The project integrates engineering, materials science, social sciences and business research to develop circular, eco-designed electronic systems in line with the European Green Deal and the Circular Economy Action Plan.

Doctoral Researchers at BTU

The BTU’s contributions form the cornerstone of the social, behavioural and economic transformation dimension of FERNS. This work ensures that sustainability is embedded not only in materials and manufacturing processes, but also in:

• Consumer practices
• Repair and reuse cultures
• Circular value chains
• Ethical and equitable access
• Business model innovation

DR9 – Public acceptance and adoption

DR9 investigates how people accept, use and ‘appropriate’ green/sustainable electronics in everyday life. The work identifies consumer roles (e.g., co-designers, prosumers, multipliers, beneficiaries) and develops evidence-based tools for consumer research, drawing on surveys, interviews and focus groups, and comparative case studies. 

DR10 – Social sustainability dimensions for green electronics

DR10 develops a multi-dimensional social sustainability assessment for green/sustainable electronics—combining a meta-analysis of research with participatory work in FERNS case studies. It identifies key issues (ethics along the value chain, equity, affordability, health and wellbeing) and produces design and evaluation tools for both formative and summative assessment of green electronics projects.