Social sustainability

Social sustainability is a perspective that focuses on the problem solving capacity of systems and institutions in human societies over time and how, in such processes, values of social justice, welfare, equity and a good life for human beings can be secured in balanced interaction with the environment at large.

The social sustainability platform (SSP) at the Department of Law hosts researchers with an interest in developing and furthering the perspective of social sustainability in legal research, education and collaboration. In line with the overall Department aim, SSP is a societal challenge driven complete academic environment.

In order to promote the exploration of the field of law and social sustainbility, the group has initiated a wide range of innovative projects and activities. Among these Rättspraktiken (Law clinic), the first academic law clinic in Sweden, plays a key role. Through Rättspraktiken and its Gothenburg-style of clinical legal education, the SSP has a unique potential to initiate research and education based on dialogue and partnerships.

At present, research in the group reflects interests in societal challenges in the areas of work, housing, education, social security, old age, migration, segregation, commons and city planning.

Theoretically the group is involved in projects that, for instance, take an interest in law and complexity, law and regulation and law and gender, with or without a post-modern, post-structuralist or post-humanist touch. Overall the group has an empirical interest in micro-challenges and look to expand already manifest local and international collaborations with actors in society as well as with collegues in law and other academic fields.