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Culture, ethics and sustainability

We explore philosophical and ethical dimensions of the nexus nature-culture-ideology, and the role of nature as a determinant of human well-being.

Illustrative photo Norwegian nature culture

Photo: Colourbox.com

About the group

We are especially interested in the ways cultural and historical contexts spark social transformation and cultural innovation for a sustainable future. Last but not least, we study the impact of dominant nature representations on environmental and climate change.

In our research group, we explore thematic areas which include:

Environmental philosophy and ethics
Social and ethical aspects of sustainable modernity
Sustainability of the Nordic Model
Green Democracy
Nature and ideology
Cultural innovation for a sustainable future.
The relation between nature, culture and identity
The role of civil society in challenging autocratic regimes
Reimagining visions of a sustainable, 'good life' for the 21st century
Studying cultural mechanisms of human well-being
Mobilizing cultural (ethical, religious and educational) resources to better address socio-environmental justice

Projects

The research group flags The Arne Næss Programme on Global Justice and the Environment, involving the annual Arne Næss Symposium, and three recipients of the Arne Næss stipend who work on a joint research project;
Grieg project (financed by EEA funds): 'Forging Culturally Sensitive Research on Human Well-being';
'The Scandinavian Ecosphere: from Ideas to Movements'
A monograph by Nina Witoszek and Mads Larsen, forthcoming 2023 (Palgrave MacMillan)

Researcher-student initiatives

Eco-pod

Academic programmes and courses

Open Access book on The Nordic model

In the book Sustainable Modernity: The Nordic Model and Beyond, co-edited by Nina Witoszek and Atle Midttun, researchers from traditionally adverse disciplines such as evolutionary biology and human sciences, explore the manifold drivers of the Nordic model. The project was supported by UiO:Nordic. The Open Access version of this book can be downloaded here.