MSc in Environment and Society Studies - Specialisation in Local Environmental Change and Sustainable Cities

Radboud University

Analysing and reflecting on sustainability transformations in cities and regions with regard to topics such as waste, energy, water, transportation and climate change.

Master's specialisation Local Environmental Change and Sustainable Cities: something for you?

The specialisation strongly focuses on the local level of sustainability transformations, in particular sustainable cities.
The natural as well as social and political aspects of environmental issues will be addressed.
You will be introduced to the most recent scientific insights, which will be illustrated by using numerous examples of how cities and regions all over the world are tackling these problems.

What will you learn?

A broad scope of environmental issues will be addressed, and the existing measures and instruments will be examined. Stormwater management, forms of renewable energy and green roofs are just a small sample of what you might encounter during this study. For example, you will discover that waste management goes far beyond recycling schemes and how cradle-to-grave products are making way for cradle-to-cradle products. In addition, we will be dealing with citizens’ initiatives in renewable energy as well as investigating new areas of focus, such as the possible environmental advantages of community food systems.

Career prospects
Master’s programme in Environment and Society Studies

After completion, you’ll be equipped with the following skills and knowledge for a young environmental practitioner, policy-maker or academic researcher. Among others, you’ll have the ability to:

• Apply relevant social science concepts and theories that are important when analysing and clarifying social change on the path towards a sustainable future.
• Analyse and design policy change for sustainability, including the methods of policy analysis, transition management and evaluation of policy.
• Facilitate collaboration between the public and private parties involved.
• Write policy documents, strategic plans or a position paper on environment and society.
• Identify and study lobbying and advocacy efforts concerning issues of sustainability.
• Work together in a professional and goal-oriented way in a wide range of social settings (interdisciplinary teams of experts, consultations and negotiations), taking into consideration other individuals’ stances values and beliefs.