FME3548 Reflexive and Critical Perspectives on Sustainability Transitions

Admitted to PhD studies

The course deals with the basic assumptions within the research domain of sustainability transitions. This domain studies socio-technical transitions towards sustainability in industrial sectors such as transport, energy and food.

The course includes lectures, seminars and other learning activities covering the following topics:

• Introduction to methodology and sustainability assumptions in transition research
• Reflexive and critical perspectives within broader sustainability research such as:

            Assumptions in sustainability assessment methods
            Power, colonialism, uncertainty and diversity in the sustainability discourse 
            Problem shifts between international environmental agreements
            Paradoxes in corporate sustainability work

• Critical review of a scientific text based on its sustainability assumptions
• Research proposal development with a reflexive and critical perspective

On completion of the course, the student will be able to: 

• Critically reflect on sustainability assumptions in sustainability transitions research
• Explain and reflect on reflexive and critical approaches to transitions research
• Critically review and assess a scientific text according to its sustainability assumptions
• Formulate a plan for a scientific study with a reflexive and critical approach