Leading roles in change management and sustainable development Every societal sector must transition to working in a sustainable manner. This will require people with specialised knowledge and skills relevant to sustainable development in organisations such as municipalities, public authorities, cultural organisations or NGOs. Graduates from this programme are ideally suited to leading transformation projects for sustainable development at organisational or societal levels. This programme provides links between theory and practice, and interdisciplinary knowledge and the ability to communicate sustainability solutions – essential skills in the workplace. Potential job titles include sustainability strategist, sustainability manager, project manager or process leader for sustainability projects or processes, sustainability educator, or sustainability consultant. The competence and skills gained during your studies are vital for leadership in national and international settings, in governmental och intergovernmental organisations, in industry, the public sector or civil society.

Theory and practice in strategic work on sustainable development This multidisciplinary two-year Master’s programme will provide you with an understanding of complexities of sustainable development, focusing on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Based on the critical insights and analytical tools found in business studies, economics and sociology, you will be encouraged to acquire leadership and management skills that will promote sustainable societal development. Teaching is conducted in close cooperation with external partners in the public sector, industry and civil society. The programme has three specialisations: Business Studies, Economics, and Sociology. Each of these provides a specific foundation on which you can develop your leadership skills in sustainable development at organisations, in society and elsewhere. Leadership for sustainable development is based upon the following principles: close collaboration with the public sector, industry and civil society is vital to the programme’s learning outcomes challenge-driven project management, which provides you with important skill sets social sciences are vital on which to lead transformation in organisations, society and elsewhere an understanding of and training in basic research methods is necessary if you wish to create an impact in sustainable development Altogether, these provide a strong foundation if you wish to promote sustainable development in your working life, helping to bring about the necessary sustainability transformations. Semester 1 Sustainable Development from an Individual Organisation and Network Perspective (7.5 credits), Environmental Economics (7.5 credits), Leadership and Sustainability (7.5 credits), Subject Specialisation (7.5 credits) Semester 2 Qualitative Research Methods (7.5 credits), Quantitative Research Methods (7.5 credits), Subject Specialisation (15 credits) Semester 3 Challenge-driven Project Management for Sustainable Development (15 credits), Sustainability Reporting and Communication (7.5 credits), Individual Study Course - Sustainable Development (7.5 credits) Semester 4 Master's dissertation in subject specialisation focusing on sustainability (30 credits) Teaching and learning methods Lectures by university staff and invited guests, seminars, and workshops offer a range of learning opportunities during the first two semesters. In the third semester, the public sector, industry and civil society provide challenge-driven cases on which groups of students will work, so applying their skills to real-life problems. Study visits to stimulating workplaces illustrate what sustainable leadership can be in practice. Individual assignments, individual studies and work on your dissertation focus on in-depth knowledge in your chosen specialisation. With opportunities in challenge-driven project management, work placement courses, and close contact with sustainability leaders from industry, the public sector and civil society, you will develop the knowledge, methods and social skills to help transform organisations and society.

Urgent need for critical and creative solutions We must think critically and creatively if we are to live more sustainably on our planet. We need the courage to be leaders and agents of change, to adopt holistic perspectives on knowledge and society, and we need to understand the complex links between phenomena. Leadership is vital to this societal transformation. The programme’s multidisciplinary background in the social sciences (business studies, economics and sociology) means that its content continually develops, giving you up-to-date and nuanced knowledge about complex societal and ecological phenomena. One theme is the use of new perspectives and creative problem formulations to meet the challenges generated by the transformation to a sustainable society. The programme provides in-depth knowledge of your chosen specialisation and an understanding of its relationship to subject traditions and the field of sustainable societal development. The programme is designed to give you the opportunity to study a semester at another university in Sweden or abroad.