Social Policy and Sustainability
While welfare states and associated social policies have been successful in addressing social risks associated with the provision of capitalist growth and increasing their citizens’ wellbeing, they have also contributed to climate emergency and the ecological crisis. We carry out social-policy research of traditional themes such as labour markets, inequality or poverty, but also and particularly in the new circumstances of climate emergency.
Considering different scales from the local to the EU level, we (co-)develop relevant theoretical concepts such as ‘sustainable welfare’ and ‘degrowth/postgrowth’, conduct corresponding empirical research - for example into attitudes towards sustainable welfare and alternative forms of political mobilization. We also identify ‘eco-social’ policies capable of reembedding economy and society in planetary boundaries.
Research groups within the area
Latest publications within the area
Degrowth: A Path to Transformative Solutions for Socio-Ecological Sustainability
Degrowth: A Path to Transformative Solutions for Socio-Ecological SustainabilityIslar, M., Koch, M., Raphael, R. & Pauls...Sustainable Welfare: Decoupling Welfare from Growth and Prioritising Needs Satisfaction for All
Sustainable Welfare: Decoupling Welfare from Growth and Prioritising Needs Satisfaction for AllBuchs, M., Koch, M. & Lee...Welfare in Degrowth Transformations
Welfare in Degrowth TransformationsKoch, M., 2024 Feb 5, In: Der öffentliche Sektor / The Public Sector. 49, 2, p. 19-22...Diminishing returns of growth? Economic performance, needs satisfaction and ecological impacts of OECD welfare states
Diminishing returns of growth? Economic performance, needs satisfaction and ecological impacts of OECD welfare statesPau...A perspective-taking university course for cancer survivors, loved ones and healthcare professionals
A perspective-taking university course for cancer survivors, loved ones and healthcare professionalsSandén, U., Nilsson,...Research Portal
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Vocational training, labor market and living conditions
A research group focusing on issues relating to vocational education, young people's living conditions and problems with establishment on the labor market. The research group includes researchers and PhD students from several universities in Sweden and the Nordic countries.