Find researchers and experts on sustainable development
Whether you are looking for an expert who can help your company, hold a leture or lead a project, we want to help you get in touch with the right person. Here we have gathered researchers at Uppsala University who are experts in different types of sustainability issues, as a resource for you and to enable the researchers to forge new connections and help their research results come to practical use for society.
The link below each field of research leads to a list of researchers who have actively chosen to make themselves and their knowledge available to society through this page. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with them directly.
Ecology, biology and water
Ecological processes are fundamental and a prerequisite for, for example, food production. These processes can be influenced by human activities, but can also be used to solve the global challenges facing society. Knowledge in biology is of great importance when it comes to what tools we use to influence our well-being, but also in order to contribute to sustainability. Water is a basic precondition for all living things on earth. Lack of water can therefore be a cause of ill health, conflict, both within and between countries, but can also act as a unifying force. Climate change and population growth mean that we must use water in a sustainable way.
Climate and meteorology
The global climate includes the atmosphere, the sea, land surfaces, land, land ice, vegetation and biogeochemical processes such as the carbon cycle. The climate is changing and the average temperature is rising. How climate change will affect us is a big question that many are investigating, for instance through modelling. Climate change is affecting every part of the earth in several ways.
Economy, business and tourism
The economic dimensions form the foundation for collaboration between individuals, organisations and societies. Economic conditions are a cornerstone for sustainable development and a major obstacle to social change. Therefore, the economic and business dimensions are central in all processes for a sustainable future. An important and growing business sector is the tourism industry, which has a very large impact on the three sustainability dimensions.
Government, politics and legislation
The impact that humans have on the environment and natural resources is closely linked to issues of democracy, governance, politics and legislation. Sustainable development of society needs leadership that works with local, regional and international agreements, regulations and instruments. Different types of instruments can drive the change work towards sustainable development. These can be financial instruments, legal instruments or information, community planning and environmental management systems.
Philosophy, history of ideas, environmental history and theology
These fields of research provide an understanding of concepts linked to sustainability and the human component. Thoughts about nature and our use of it have throughout history taken on different cultural expressions, and how issues of power and social justice are always related to ecological conditions. By understanding concepts, there is an increased opportunity for influence in the desired direction. Understanding concepts can also help us see the different ethical dimensions of sustainability. Often one refers to the capacity for Earth’s biosphere and human civilisation to co-exist. Theology has the potential to contribute to a critical understanding of the role of humanity by uncovering complex interconnections between ecology, society and economics which give rise to ethical questions of the inherent dignity and worth of the person.
Find researchers in philosophy, history of ideas, environmental history and theology
Conflict, insecurity and risk
Societies and their decision makers have always faced major and important decisions that involved risk and uncertainty. Due to climate change, some would say that the risks today are greater than ever. Uncertainty about future events is a natural element in various activities. Future events can affect businesses positively or negatively. For instance, there is uncertainty about how risks associated with rising sea levels should be managed regarding the construction of homes in attractive waterfront locations. There are also risks between countries of increased uncertainty as a result of climate change, as access to water can vary in unexpected ways.
Education for sustainable development
As a centre of learning, education for sustainable development is important to any university. It empowers learners with the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes to address the global challenges we are facing. It prepares students and learners to find solutions for the challenges of today and the future. Education for sustainable development means including key sustainability issues into teaching and learning. It requires participatory teaching and learning methods that motivate and empower learners to change their behaviour and act for sustainability. Competencies like critical thinking, imagining future scenarios and making decisions in a collaborative way is key.
Environment and health: medicine, pharmacy and psychology
Social justice and equality are fundamental prerequisites for a sustainable society. This has been demonstrated through impact assessments for different future scenarios. Different parts of society are interdependent and must work together to make society more sustainable. The ecological, economic, social and health aspects. Health is not only an individual’s absence from illness, but is also about possibility for each person to reach their own full potential. This also achieves the full potential of society.
Find researchers in environment and health: medicine, pharmacy and psychology
Urban, community and rural development and construction
The study of how urban, community and rural development and construction can be done in a sustainable way is important for the future. The world is undergoing rapid urbanisation. Every week the world’s cities grow by about 1.4 million inhabitants. It is estimated that two thirds of the world’s population will live in cities by 2050. How all the world’s cities grow and develop thus largely determines whether we will succeed in converting to a sustainable society. A number of new technologies and innovations for the climate-smart and sustainable city are already developed or are under development. An example is how cities have increasingly begun to plan for development underground and how tomorrow’s cities can be developed so that they promote good physical and mental health among the inhabitants. The importance of different forms of greenery, green areas and nature in and near a city is included.
Find researchers in urban, community and rural development and construction
Indigenous People, Minorities and Human Rights
Rights for indigenous peoples and minorities as well as human rights form the foundation of work for social and economic sustainability. Many indigenous peoples have important knowledge about how a sustainable relationship with nature can be established. The relationship between peoples, land and sea, population movements and related conflicts are important aspects to consider in the societal transition towards a sustainable future.
Find researchers in indigenous people, minorities and human rights
Green innovations: technology, renewable energy and a circular economy, AI
Green innovations are a broad field where both products and systems for the individual, but also society are included. Green innovations can give companies the opportunity to develop their business in a sustainable direction and is now an important element for work with sustainable development. Algorithms for artificial intelligence have the potential to support the UN’s goals for sustainable development as they provide opportunities to create efficiency and more sustainable products. Artificial intelligence can also contribute to greater transparency and accountability.
Find researchers in green innovations: technology, renewable energy and a circular economy, AI
Have questions or comments?
This page is an initiative by Uppsala University Sustainability Initiatives (UUSI). UUSI gathers researchers from the University's different domains in interdisciplinary collaborations with the purpose of strengthening the University's research on sustainability issues.
Do you have questions or comments about this page? Contact Project Manager Klas Palm.