Sustainability work
We both teach and conduct research on environmental policy and sustainability. The Department of Political Science is hosting the Centre for Collective Action Research (CeCAR), part of the University of Gothenburg´s big focus on global social challenges: UGOT Challenges.
The study of environmental politics assumes that it is societies that cause environmental problems. It is also societies that value how serious the environmental problems are and how the problems are to be solved. This mobilizes different interests in society where environmental problems become political issues - our focus is to study these issues from a political science perspective.
Research
Centre for Collective Action Research (CeCAR)
CeCAR’s research aims to contribute knowledge about the mechanisms behind voluntary, regulated, large-scale collective action. A better understanding of large-scale collective action is one of the most significant and pressing challenges of our time. It is arguably absolutely crucial if we are going to avoid serious social, environmental, and health-related problems in the future.
More information at CeCAR´s website.
Centre for Environmental Political Studies (CEPS)
Our research on environmental policy and public administration seeks answers to questions about the interaction between society and the environment. How do various social actions impact the environment? What are the trends in the opinions and behaviours of citizens in relation to the environment? Is democracy compatible with sustainable development? The questions are many, and they are also urgent and sensitive. CEPS has a broad spectrum of research initiatives under way, and its activities are carried out in collaboration with other disciplines.
More information about the research group
Environmental issues within the Department of Political Science
We work according to the University of Gothenburg’s Environmental Management System (EMS). Central to the system is the action plan for the environment and sustainable development, the University’s vision, and the environmental policy. A sustainability report is produced annually and contains results and achievements from all objectives in the action plan.
The students are involved
At the Department of Political Science, there is a Department Council (IR) that meets six times a year. IR serves as an advisory body to the Head of Department and is a forum for discussing the department's activities. Students have a representative on the IR and thus have the opportunity to bring up matters in the council. The Student Union appoints the student representative.