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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

Vocational training, labor market and living conditions

Latest publications within the area

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 AllBuchs, M., Koch, M. & Lee...
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 statesPau...
A perspective-taking university course for cancer survivors, loved ones and healthcare professionalsSandén, U., Nilsson,...