Degrowth and socioecological justice across disciplines: a reading and discussion-based PhD course
PhD School at the Faculty of SCIENCE at University of Copenhagen
19 February-16 April 2025 (9 days)
Starting date Wednesday February 19th, 13:00-16:00
One session each Wednesday afternoon to follow; 9 sessions total
We face a host of interlinked crises, not least climate breakdown, biodiversity collapse, rising inequality, alongside a rise in new uncertainties, such as the implications of the widespread uptake in artificial intelligence technologies. A large body of research has made evident the links between growth-oriented economies and the production of these challenges and uncertainties. But how do we translate this knowledge into action, in diverse areas of scientific research, as well as beyond academia?
To contribute to addressing these crises, it is crucial that students are able to grasp contextual and systemic complexities, and that they are able to communicate and argue across disciplines. In this discussion-based course, we focus on multiple dimensions of the challenges and especially on the degrowth and postgrowth approaches to respond. We begin with a primer into degrowth thinking, covering some key terms and principles as well as addressing common misunderstandings. We then turn to a range of topics that present paths to socio-ecological wellbeing and justice, including cultural transformation, degrowth utopianism, anti-extractivism, climate justice, digital degrowth, social movements, decolonial thinking, and the role of academia, to name a few.
Faculty members from all six UCPH faculties host different sessions, bringing their specific research fields to bear on the common topic of degrowth and just futures. We do not cover all that degrowth is and stands for, but we do make evident that it is a widely encompassing project that can involve us all; every discipline can contribute. The approaches to tackle the interconnected crises we face require collaboration with civil society actors, so every session also engages a civil-society actor who provides an “on-the-ground” perspective on the discussion topic alongside the respective faculty member. This is an exploratory course that will build knowledge of degrowth as it intersects with a wide swath of academic and civil society efforts toward transformation.
Learning outcome
Knowledge:
• Understand how the climate and biodiversity crises interact with global well-being
• Understand the interfaces between academic work and civil-society actors, including how the two can jointly contribute to solving the above-mentioned global challenges
Skills:
• Explain how the growth paradigm has shaped public discourses in the past and why it is being challenged today
• Be able to engage in debate about the role of growth in academia, institutions and society as a whole
Competences:
• Competently discuss complex, interrelated issues on degrowth, postgrowth and alternative economic principles - as applied to politics, economics, medicine, and more
Target group
This course is a good fit for students of any academic background with an interest in degrowth and an openness to learning more about it in diverse ways, particularly those without substantial familiarity already. However, those that already have a strong understanding are very welcome, and will enrich discussions. UCPH PhD candidates receive priority though PhDs from other Danish or regional universities will be welcomed if space permits. PhD candidates also are given priority, but non-PhD applicants will be welcomed, space pending.
No qualification is required beyond an interest in the topics and commitment to meaningful participation. Applicants should be aware that the course takes place one afternoon per week for nine consecutive weeks, and participation throughout is vital for a collectively meaningful experience. Very limited absences with reasonable justification will be accepted, and will require a min. two-page written reflection on the materials for the day, submitted before the course final day.
Teaching and learning methods
This reading and discussion-based course is convened by the UCPH Green Solutions Center (GSC) ‘Degrowth Thematic Solution’ and the UCPH Degrowth Network, with financial support from the GSC. All six faculties of UCPH are represented to cover a wide range of academic fields and knowledges. Each lecturer selects readings on how academic knowledge can be translated into action in responses to the challenges we currently face. The lecturer will facilitate the session, and the course participants will have read and reflected on the materials beforehand.
In addition to an academic host, a relevant civil-society actor will join each session. Our guests will be confirmed closer to course start. Each UCPH lecturer and each civil society actor prepare key questions for the readings, which the students have thought about/prepared answers to beforehand. This transdisciplinary approach supports going beyond a purely academic discussion, to explore collectively concrete transition pathways toward more socio-ecological just futures.
All participants submit a two-page reflection piece summarizing their learning outcomes and the applicability to their future research. This final piece allows them to think both practically and theoretically about the topics covered in the course.
Lecturers
Teachers:
• Dr. Rebecca Rutt, Associate Professor, Department of Food and Resource Economics (SCIENCE)
• Dr. Fernando Racimo, Associate Professor, Globe Institute (SUND)
• Dr. Jens Friis Lund, Professor, Department of Food and Resource Economics (SCIENCE)
• Dr. Stefan Gaardsmand, Associate Professor, Department of Cross-Cultural and Regional Studies (HUM)
• Dr. Clara Vandeweerdt, Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science (SAMF)
• Dr. Mikkel Krause Frantzen, Associate Professor, Department of Cross-Cultural and Regional Studies (HUM)
• Dr. Denise Utochkin, Postdoctoral researcher, Department of Epidemiology (SUND)
• Dr. Mine Islar, Associate Professor, Department of Food and Resource Economics (SCIENCE)
• Dr. Matti Weisdorf, Postdoctoral researcher, Systematic Theology Section (TEO)
• Dr. Beatriz Martinez Romera, Associate Professor, Centre for Climate Change Law and Governance (JUR)
Remarks
Participants are expected to i) register using the link in PhD planner, and ii) write a brief text (500 words or less) explaining their motivation to join the course and how the topic might come to bear on their current or future academic activities (as far as possible). Note, the registration link does not contain the possibility to upload files, so letters of motivation should be sent at the same time as registering, to Fernando Racimo at fracimo@sund.ku.dk. Please put ‘LoM Degrowth PhD Course’ in the subject line.
The course is free of charge.