Distance Learning and Digitization as a Means to Challenge Students’ Thinking Toward Sustainability Research

Research is a substantive function of higher education institutions, through which they encourage undergraduate and graduate students to master research methods to solve fundamental societal problems. Given the nature of distance education programs, the use of digital technologies is an invaluable competitive advantage in training new scientists in the field of sustainability research, mainly due to their rapid adaptation to the digital demands of the students of generations Y and Z. This chapter aims to explore the role of distance learning and digitalization that has sparked young higher education students’ interest in research activities to ensure the successful functioning of sustainability science in the coming years. The content suggests that challenging students’ thinking toward sustainability research goes beyond teaching proven research methodologies for completing a thesis. At present, sparking the interest of young scientists in sustainability research requires the reengineering of research processes in higher education, where digitization is necessary to ensure the successful functioning of sustainability science in the coming years.