Joint proposal for interdisciplinary climate research

Researchers from Stockholm University, Karolinska Institutet and KTH aim to create a broad research environment to support the climate transition.

Karin Bäckstrand at Stockholm Trio Sustainability Forum 2023. Photo Jens Olof Lasthein

Stockholm University has submitted an application in a call for strategic research areas, proposing an interdisciplinary research environment with participation from Stockholm University, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, and Karolinska Institutet. The proposed research is based on the premise that the climate transition is a societal transformation that requires integrated knowledge from multiple disciplines.

The proposal combines climate and systems modelling with analyses of governance, justice, legitimacy, and health impacts. The aim is to contribute knowledge and decision-support that can help advance the transition towards a net-zero society. Karin Bäckstrand, Professor in Environmental Social Science at Stockholm University and coordinator of the proposal, highlights the application as an example of how the three universities can work together to integrate strong research environments in Stockholm:

“A key strength is the interdisciplinary integration of three strong research environments within the University Alliance Stockholm Trio. We connect advanced climate and systems modelling with research on politics, economics and society, as well as environmental medicine. In addition, we are developing unique global databases on climate policy, legitimacy, climate-related risks and synergies, and conflicts between climate protection and other goals”.