Bänkar mot fönster som vetter mot natur.

Stakeholder communication in environmental science

Course

Communicating Scientific Knowledge and Complex Environmental Issues

7.5 credits

Spring

100%

Campus

This Master’s level course assesses and analyses key aspects of communicating scientific knowledge and complex environmental issues to a range of stakeholders in the domain of environmental decision-making. It also examines how experts in environmental science communicate problems and solutions to other experts, politicians, media and the public.

Information for exchange students

This course is also open for exchange students. Application information for exchange students.

Want to know why you should study at Södertörn University? Find out here.

Knowledge and expertise for the analysis and management of environmental change The interdisciplinary format of Environmental Science contributes to a wide range of available professions being open to you after graduation. You have the knowledge to analyse environmental change and society’s management of this, for example in research or consultancy work. Or you can contribute through knowledge of the management of environmental and sustainability issues, or provide information and communication activities about the environment and sustainability at companies or interest groups. Expertise on the environment and sustainable development is needed at all companies and organisations that analyse, communicate and manage issues related to sustainability and the environment. These are found in both the public and private sectors. Examples of workplaces include municipalities, state and international environmental management organisations or private businesses that work on sustainability and the environment. Studying Environmental Science provides direct links to local, national and global challenges in sustainability and the environment. It provides you with a stable background on which to promote societal debate and management of these issues, both in politics and in everyday life. Read about research in this subject
Communicative tools for various stakeholders in environmental decision-making This course focuses on assessing and analysing important aspects of communicating scientific knowledge and complex environmental issues to stakeholders in environmental decision-making. You will explain how different communication tools and forms of communication can be brought into line with the needs of different stakeholders, and use and assess different communication tools and rhetorical strategies to present scientific knowledge and complex environmental concepts in different forms to different audiences. This is done on the basis of theories about scientific communication, environmental rhetoric and the popularisation of science. You will also examine how experts in environmental science communicate problems and solutions to other experts, politicians, media and the public, and critically assess the role of communication between different stakeholders in environmental issues, as well as the political and ethical impact of different forms of communication. Course design This course includes lectures, but is primarily built up around compulsory seminars and supervised group assignments and discussions. Guest lecturers have a central role, both giving lectures on how to work with science and environmental communication and discussing student presentations. The course is assessed through an individual take-home examination, written group assignments, oral presentations, attendance at seminars and guest lectures and written seminar assignments.
Study how the links between humans and nature affect the environment When you study Environmental Science, you investigate the links between humanity and nature, and how these links affect the environment and sustainable development. The subject includes important societal issues and sustainability targets. You gain an understanding of environmental problems and the origin, scope and management of environmental change. You also get to look in detail at current environmental issues, such as reduced biodiversity, environmental toxins and climate issues. The subject has an interdisciplinary approach because it focuses on both humans and nature. This means that you study scientific subjects as much as subjects in the social sciences, giving you a broad understanding of contemporary and future challenges. For example, you study the link between the environment and people’s socioeconomic conditions, and how human activities such as agriculture and chemical use have an impact on ecosystems. Environmental Science has a broad and comprehensive perspective in which you investigate how society manages environmental issues and environmental problems. The subject also covers specific issues, such as the Baltic Sea’s environmental problems, the influence of forestry, and urban environments.