Natural Sciences, Technology and Environmental Studies

The School of Natural Sciences, Technology, and Environmental Studies offers education at all levels, from undergraduate to doctoral studies, in subjects that include Environmental Science, Global Development Studies, Informatics, Media Technology, and Tourism Studies. We offer many degree programmes and freestanding courses.

Education

Education at the school builds upon on important societal issues and is conducted in collaboration with the public and private sectors. Using both theory and practice, students gain the tools to work for change – both locally and globally – anchored in the UN’s global goals. Climate, environmental impact, growth, and the conditions for future generations to live in a sustainable world are highly relevant issues. We study how people, the environment, and technology interact and influence each other from ecological, social, and economic perspectives, in relation to various aspects of sustainable development.

We offer programmes at both Bachelor’s and Master’s level, with degrees in Environmental Science External link., Global Development Studies External link., Tourism Studies External link., Media Technology, External link. and Informatics External link.. The subjects also offer freestanding courses, which you can read more about on the subjects’ webpages.

The school conducts research in many areas, as well as through international collaborations. Research methods and theoretical approaches priotitise both subject depth and multidisciplinary or transdisciplinary approaches. We conduct research in laboratory environments, in the field, in global projects, and in collaboration with various industries, such as the media and tourism, as well as research in challenge-driven issues in partnership with the public sector. The department also conducts contract education and commissioned research.

At the School of Natural Sciences, Technology, and Environmental Studies, research is conducted in Environmental Science, Global Development Studies, Informatics, Media Technology, and Tourism Studies. These subjects differ in content but are united by their interdisciplinary approach, high degree of collaboration, and focus on sustainable development.

Environmental Science research spans a wide range of questions, such as the sustainable use of natural resources, the rights of indigenous peoples, and how knowledge of prehistoric environments can contribute to understanding ongoing climate and environmental changes. Geographically, we focus on the Baltic Sea region and regions in the Global South, such as areas in Latin America and Africa. Research has two themes: Environment and Sustainability, Challenges and Opportunities.

Research in Global Development Studies is based on various theoretical and methodological approaches that analyse political, economic, social, cultural, and environmental aspects of complex societal change, from local to global levels. It is characterised by interdisciplinarity and primarily focuses on conditions in the Global South.

Informatics research is conducted in various sub-areas of digital business development, such as business intelligence, digital business development, organisational development, and digital service innovation, often in collaboration with actors from the public and private sectors.

Research in Media Technology is organised into three areas: User Experiences; Critical Perspectives and Digital Design; and Emerging Media Technologies. Together, these areas cover a broad research field, including the role of digital technology in shaping and creating social phenomena, as well as research on AI (Artificial Intelligence) in games, interaction with drones and robots, and data visualisation and service design. Other research areas include physical interaction and materiality.

In Tourism Studies, the main theme is urban tourism, with research focusing on destination development, cultural heritage attractions, events and meetings, higher education institutions’ collaborative networks, sustainability, and hospitality management.

The School of Natural Sciences, Technology and Environmental Studies has approximately 110 employees, consisting of teachers/researchers, doctoral students, and administrative staff. Both education and research prioritise cross-disciplinary activities. Researchers and students with different academic backgrounds work together and actively contribute to strengthening the multidisciplinary climate. The school has three academic departments and one administrative department:

Department of Informatics and Tourism Studies
Department of Environment, Development, and Sustainability Studies
Department of Media Technology
Department of Administration

The school also includes the research area for doctoral education Environmental Studies, External link. the SustainLab research centre, and the research platform EcoJust External link..

Natural Sciences, Technology and Environmental Studies

Education

Research and collaboration

Activities and organisation