How can higher education equip students with the critical perspectives and capacity for dialogue needed to engage responsibly with the climate challenges and dilemmas. The conference i held in English
The Sustainability Section at the University of Gothenburg invites students and staff to the third edition of the GU Climate Panel. Following our previous panel discussions in May and November 2025, this year’s panel will focus on a question that is increasingly important for higher education:
How can higher education equip students with the knowledge, critical perspectives and capacity for dialogue needed to engage thoughtfully and responsibly with the climate challenges and dilemmas they will encounter in their professional and civic lives?
Climate change is no longer a question confined to environmental science or climate research. It raises fundamental questions across virtually all areas of knowledge and professional life-from health, education and economics to technology, politics, law, social justice and everyday life. At the same time, climate action involves difficult choices and competing perspectives: individual versus structural responsibility, mitigation versus adaptation, technological versus societal solutions, economic development versus ecological limits, and global responsibilities versus local priorities.
Our students are already encountering these questions, both within their programmes and in the wider public debate. The panel will therefore bring together researchers from different disciplinary and educational backgrounds from the university of Gothenburg and Chalmers university of technology to explore questions such as:
The intention is not to seek a single answer or consensus, but to create a space where different disciplinary perspectives can meet, challenge one another constructively, and help us-and our students-better understand the complexity of the climate debate.
We are still inviting researchers and teachers from across the University of Gothenburg to join the panel and contribute perspectives from their own disciplines and areas of expertise.
We are particularly interested in perspectives on how climate change and climate action are understood within different fields, what challenges and tensions are most significant, and what students should be equipped to understand and engage with.
If you are interested in joining the panel, or would like further information, please contact Kassahun Weldemariam, kassahun.weldemariam@gu.se
Martin Hultman is professor of sociology with a specialization in science, technology and society (STS). He research overlaps of energy, climate, environmental legislation and economics specifically Climate obstruction, Masculinities, Rights of Nature and Circular Economy.
Anne Solli is senior lecturer in Science Education at the University of Gothenburg. Her research focuses on climate change education and communication, with particular attention to climate visualisations and how teacher students and young citizens develop agency to engage with socioscientific issues such as as climate change.
Filip Johnsson is Professor of Energy Systems at Chalmers University of Technology. His research focuses on energy systems analysis, renewable energy integration, Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS), and pathways for reducing carbon emissions across supply chains. He also studies climate policy and the transition of energy systems towards climate targets. He currently leads an interdisciplinary Mistra-funded research project on electrification and has contributed to major initiatives including Mistra Carbon Exit and projects funded by Vinnova and Formas.
Andréas Litsegård is a Senior Lecturer in Peace- and Development Research at the School of Global Studies, University of Gothenburg, where he teaches International Relations, sustainability issues and climate transition and also advocates for the reduction of CO2-emissions from academia. His research interests are regionalism, governance, civil society, democracy, development co-operation, climate transition and migration with a current focus on climate mobility in Ethiopia
Mattias Wahlström is Professor of sociology at the University of Gothenburg, specialising in the study of social movements. He has a particular interest in the climate movement and recently co-authored a book on its visions for the future.
Therése Wahlström is a lecturer in Science Education at the University of Borås and a doctoral student at University of Gothenburg. Her research focuses on how students learn about and engage with climate change and sustainability, with particular interest in how pedagogical approaches, such as game-based and participatory learning, can support students’ understanding, engagement, and possibilities for action.
Lawrence Jörgensen is from a background in social environmental science. He is currently studying a master's in environmental governance at the University of Gothenburg, researching how societies can achieve good lives for all within ecological limits.
Vinus Dubhashi Tiger is a student at the University of Gothenburg, studying a bachelor's program in Sustainable Development, Societal Change and Climate Transformation. He also works as a student coordinator at the university’s section for sustainability, and has several years of experience within civil society around climate and sustainability.
Evelina Utterdahl: master's student in gender studies researching decolonial ecofeminism, with a BA in human ecology and development studies.
10:00–10:05 Welcome and Introduction: Kassahun Weldemariam
10:05–10:10 Remarks by Martin Hultman
10:10–10:15 Remarks by Anne Solli
10:15–10:20 Remarks by Filip Johnsson
10:20–10:25 Remark by Andréas Litsegård
10:25–10:30 Remark by Evelina Utterdahl
10:30–10:35 Remark by Vinus Dubhashi Tiger
10:35–10:40 Remark by Mattias Wahlström
10:40–10:45 Remark by Therése Wahlström
10:45–10:50 Remark by Lawrence Jörgensen
10:50–11:05 Coffee Break
11:05–11:50 Open Discussion; and Q&A Session via a moderator
11:50–12:00 Summary and conclusion and plan for follow up panel.
THE CONFERENCE IS IN ENGLISH