Our research

The Geosphere

Within the Geosphere research area, we study the Earth’s geological processes and natural resources, ranging from bedrock and minerals to groundwater and geothermal energy. Our research encompasses fields such as geology, geochemistry, mineralogy, and hydrogeology.

Climate and Climate Change

Within the Climate and Climate Change research area, we study how the Earth’s climate system works, how it has varied throughout history, and how it may change in the future. We seek to understand both the processes driving environmental change and how these changes are produced, experienced and governed across places and scales. Our research includes climate modelling, palaeoclimate, regional climate and urban climate. 

Earth Surface Processes

This research area focuses on the processes that shape and transform the Earth’s surface, and on how landscapes and ecosystems are affected by climate change and land use. We study, among other things, how climate change affects permafrost, tundra, peatlands, soil processes, and glacial landscapes.

The work of our research groups is built on strong interdisciplinary research collaborations at both national and global levels. We study a wide range of topics, from climate, landscapes, and alpine and polar ecosystems to water resources, land use, ice dynamics, and mineral resources. Visit the research groups’ websites on this page to learn more about their research.

Research environment and infrastructure

Our research stations, laboratories, and monitoring stations provide access to advanced research infrastructure for field studies, analyses, and long-term observations of climate, ecosystems, and Earth system processes.

How we conduct research in Earth Sciences and Geography

We use field studies, laboratory analyses, and advanced methods such as climate modelling, remote sensing, and geographic information systems (GIS) to study the Earth’s processes and changes—from local to global scales, both historically and into the future.