The environmental sociology group conducts research in the social and cultural aspects of environmental science. Environmental sociology studies society, everyday life and practices, and the development of these, in relation to environment, nature, risk and technology. Stakeholders and practices are analysed in the context of nature and environment, and in the context of social change and its drivers, structural conditions, barriers and potentials, addressing also solutions to as well as prevention and mitigation of environmental challenges. The group conducts basic research as well as strategic and applied research directed at public management at all levels, NGO’s, businesses and the public at large.

 

Topics

The group deals with the social and societal conditions which i) contribute to the development of environmental problems, ii) limit/restrict or underpin/support the solution of environmental problems, and iii) are affected by changes in environmental conditions. More specifically, we look at:

• Social actors and their practices in terms of environment, technology and nature
• Social change and its drivers
• Structural conditions, barriers and potentials in relation to environment and nature
• Prevention and solution strategies, organisation structures and methods, including public participation

Fields of research

• Transport and mobility; energy consumption, prosumption and supply; households and consumption; waste handling; lifestyle and practices; planning and regulation; climate change and adaptation; sustainable urban development; meat and organic food consumption; environmental discourse, media and communication; barriers and potentials of technological transition; landscape perception and use of nature

Methods

The environmental sociology group engage in cross-disciplinary as well as strictly sociological research projects. Different research methods are applied, including:

• Qualitative interviews
• Focus groups
• Participant observation
• Discourse analysis, including media and document analyses
• Questionnaire surveys