Environment and Society Studies

In the ESS programme you investigate and discuss how societies deal with their physical environment. It shows how societies work – or potentially can work – towards a more sustainable future. It looks at experiences of countries all over the globe, with both good and bad sustainability practises. It explores the social and political patterns that lead to sustainability (or unsustainability) in many domains and it discusses the alternatives. Environmental governance is about the roles played by markets, governments, communities and society itself. ESS integrates various perspectives and disciplines into its programme where they are necessary and useful, such as sociology, psychology, political science, geography, planning and public administration. In this Master’s programme you analyse and discuss how environmental issues are dealt with at various levels: the United Nations, the EU, nation states and locally. It offers knowledge and skills to guide and influence societal transformations towards sustainability.