New projects on Social Engagement in the Climate Transition, and Future Humanities

The "KTH Future Humanities Initiative", led by Sverker Sörlin, launches a research based educational and outreach effort, to assist climate transformation and sustainable development during the Agenda 2030 decade. The focus is on interactive circulation and application of new integrative and relevant humanities knowledge that now exists on climate, environment and sustainability -- and on applying it to promote social progress and innovation. The initiative seeks to engage professional groups, especially new generations of engineering and architecture students that play key roles in societal transformations, and involve them in educational efforts. A new Master Program will also be developed. A special mission is to work with outreach organizations and institutions to introduce transformative humanities knowledge to the wider society. Total budget, including KTH co-funding, is SEK 18.6 million.

Nina Wormbs was granted SEK 3 million over four years for “The character of social engagement in the climate transition: how arguments work in a social context” together with Maria Wolrath-Söderberg, associate professor at Södertörn University College. They will investigate the impact of the social group as people argue and reason around climate change action. This project builds on their previous research in the project Understanding justification of climate change nonaction  (financed by Riksbankens Jubileumsfond)

Both projects will start July 1, 2023 and continue until the end of 2026.