Sustainable development

Education in environmental politics

Studying environmental politics means understanding how our societies both create and are affected by environmental problems, but also how we value them and try to find solutions. Environmental issues are therefore not only a matter of science or technology. They are profoundly political: different groups have different interests, perspectives, and proposals, which means that conflicts, negotiations, and decisions are always part of the picture.

As a political scientist, you study how power, institutions, ideas, and interests shape environmental politics – at the local, national, and global levels. You gain tools to analyze political processes, understand why some solutions succeed while others are blocked, and think critically about how societies can address environmental challenges more fairly and effectively. When you study environmental politics with us, you are trained to look beyond simple answers and to grasp the political dynamics that determine the future we will share.

Prize for theses on sustainability

We encourage our students to write theses that in different ways relate to sustainable development. Through their work, they contribute new and important perspectives on societal challenges. At the University of Gothenburg, there is also the GUSTA prize, which rewards those students who are most successful in addressing this theme in their theses.

Read more: Environment and sustainability | Student Portal

Student influence

At the Department of Political Science, there is a Department Council (IR) that meets five times a year. When the Head of Department needs to discuss matters and make decisions regarding the department’s activities, the IR functions as an advisory body. The IR consists of elected members representing the staff.

Students have their own representative in the IR and thus have the opportunity to raise various issues – including those related to sustainable development. Our students are also welcome to bring up matters of their choice in the programme councils and programme boards of the different study programmes.

Research

At the Department of Political Science, there is a strong interest in environmental politics. Today, around 25 researchers are active in the research group Centre for Environmental Political Studies (CEPS). The research areas cover issues such as sustainable development, climate change, environmental public opinion, energy policy, and natural resource governance. Within CEPS, special seminars are regularly organized where current research topics are discussed.

Read more: Centre for Environmental Political Studies (CEPS)

Prestigious Research Grant

In 2023, one of our professors, Aksel Sundström, was awarded an ERC Starting Grant for the research project Female Leadership and Effects from African Droughts (Fem-LEAD). In this project, he and his team study how extreme weather events, such as droughts and other natural disasters, affect gender equality in African politics.

The ERC Starting Grant is one of the most prestigious research grants in Europe and is awarded by the European Research Council (ERC). The grant amounts to 1.5 million euros, runs over five years, and is targeted at promising early-career researchers, 2–7 years after completing their PhD, with groundbreaking research ideas and strong potential to become future research leaders.

Read more: ERC grant for research on extreme weather and gender equality in African politics

Internal sustainability work

The Department of Political Science’s internal sustainability work is based on the university’s policy and overarching guidelines. We strive to raise awareness among students and staff about environmental and development issues and, through research, education, and collaboration with society at large, encourage concrete actions that promote sustainable development. Our research is, for example, of great importance to politicians and decision-makers.

We also work to take environmental considerations into account in everything we do in our daily activities. In October 2025, we will undergo an internal environmental audit, during which the university’s auditors will review our compliance with the regulations.

Read more: Sustainable development | University of Gothenburg