Uppsala University Graduate School in Sustainability Studies (GRASS)
The mission of Uppsala University Graduate School in Sustainability Studies (GRASS) is to conduct research on key social challenges including changed energy systems, sustainable consumption and destinations development. Here, 12 PhD students at 8 institutions are collaborating in 5 unique research projects.
GRASS is looking for ten new PhD students
In the autumn, a second round of the graduate school will start, where ten doctoral students at five University departments collaborate in five unique research projects. Read about the projects and the PhD students we are looking for.
News about GRASS
- Graduate school seeks cross-border dialogue on sustainability - 2025-03-13
- Several new initiatives at Campus Gotland - 2024-06-24
Sustainable destination development
Here we focus on the intersection between UN’s Global Goal 17 on Partnership for Sustainable Development, and the need for collaboration and cooperation in destination development. We investigate the challenges within the tourism industry and the possibilities of tackling sustainability challenges by implementing sustainability labelling and eco-tourism.
University departments
Department of Earth Sciences • Department of Civil and Industrial Engineering • Department of Cultural Anthropology and Ethnology
More about the project 'Sustainable destination development'

Gotland’s sustainable energy system transition: resources, demand and planning

How can a 100% renewable energy system for Gotland be achieved with respect to resource availability, energy demand and social sustainability in different future scenarios? The project is divided into three separate, but closely interconnected, PhD projects that focus on resources, demand or planning issues.
University departments
Department of Earth Sciences • Department of Earth Sciences • Department of Civil and Industrial Engineering
About 'Gotland’s sustainable energy system transition: resources, demand and planning'
Fisheries and coastal development in a small island context: the past, present and future
The overall purpose of this transdisciplinary project is to combine coastal and fisheries development in a small island context in the past with the present to help develop sustainable ways forward.
University departments
Department of Archaeology and Ancient History • Department of Earth Sciences

Getting the balance right? Applying legislation when seeking a balance between energy transition and conservation of cultural value

The aim of this project is to explore how existing legislation manages to balance the goals of sustainable energy consumption on the one hand and conservation of cultural heritage values on the other hand. Specifically, this concerns insulation, window replacement and isolar panels on historic buildings.
University departments
Department of Law • Department of Art History
Digital innovation for sustainable consumption
The aim of this project is to investigate the potential of digital systems to support customers to make sustainable consumption decisions. This includes, for example, deepening our understanding of how consumers consider different kinds of information, and the development of store environments, both physical and online.
University departments
Department of Business Studies • Department of Informatics and Media

About GRASS
In January 2021, Uppsala University established a new multidisciplinary graduate school in sustainable development. Read more about GRASS.