Culture, ethics and sustainability
We explore philosophical and ethical dimensions of the nexus nature, culture, and ideology. 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.

Photo: Colourbox.com
About the group
The research group "Culture, ethics and sustainability" explores 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 authoritarian countries.
- Reimagining visions of sustainable, 'good life' for the 21st century
- 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.
- The Scandinavian Ecosphere: from Ideas to Movements
A monograph by Nina Witoszek, Martin Lee Mueller and Martina Mercellova – to be published by Palgrave MacMillan
Researcher-student initiatives
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 drivers behind the Nordic model. The project is supported by UiO:Nordic. The Open Access version of this book can be downloaded here.
Publications
Find more recent publications here