Professor Sophie I. Hallstedt led the workshop “Decades of Sustainable Design and Manufacturing – and What’s Next?” at NordDesign 2026, together with Prof. Kicki Säfsten and Assoc. Prof. Paraskeva Wlazlak, Jönköping University, and PhD student Cecilia Braga, Blekinge Institute of Technology, representing the Swedish Special Interest Group Sustainable Product and Production Development.

Workshop participants following a presentation in the plenary session
The workshop opened with a look back at how the field has developed.

The workshop brought together researchers to reflect on the development of sustainable design and manufacturing and to explore how product development, design, manufacturing, and production can work more closely together to accelerate the sustainability transition.

Participants discussing around a table covered with worksheets and notes
Small-group sessions collected perspectives on where the field should go next.

The discussions generated valuable perspectives and ideas that will help shape a research roadmap towards 2036, strengthening collaboration across the fields of sustainable product and production development.