After the course the student shall be able to distinguish connections between potentials and problems in different definitions of ”innovation” in relation to current challenges to social, economic and ecologic sustainability. The student shall be able to motivate at overall level and in relation to concrete cases, the use of gender perspective and equal opportunities measures as instruments for sustainability in innovations.

The course rests on scientific ground but avoids being extensively theoretical. The aim is to create interest for the topic, offer a general insight and give training in analysis at rudimentary level. Methods to make the content accessible include discussing role models and implementing the teaching on real cases. The course is centred around the definition of sustainability defined by the United Nations in Rio 1992, and which declares that sustainability contains three dimensions: ecological, social and economic sustainability, all mutually dependant on each other. The gender perspective is specifically regarded. Statistics that explain the need for particular attention to women’s conditions are reviewed, together with the topic of gender equality as political goal. Concurrently, the innovation concept is investigated. Innovations have major impact on all three dimensions of sustainability. Within this area there are plenty stereotypes about feminine and masculine traits. While women’s and men’s in part different circumstances are paid significant attention, the course aims to challenge such stereotypes. The course brings up the globalization concept and sees to technical development as route to success and competitive strength, social innovations, critical voices and alternative interpretations, ideas and social movements for sustainable innovation such as ”Green innovation”, ”Greening the supply chain”, affirmative action to promote women’s innovation. Throughout the course, three levels are handled: Swedish/Nordic level, EU and, global level.

Lectures and instructions are available via LTU’s system for internet based courses. In the same space there are rooms for discussions and files for exercises and own case descriptions

Exercises, own case descriptions

Maria Uden

Connell, Raewyn W. & Pearse, Rebecca (2015) Gender: In World Perspective. Polity Press. (180 pages)
European Commission (2013). Gendered Innovations: How Gender Analysis Contributes to Research. Brussels: European Commission Directorate-General for Research and Innovation. (Free download on EU web pages.) (140 pages)
Grace, Victoria & Arnoux, Louis. (1998). Clean-burning fuel for use in woodstoves: Feminist politics, community development and global sustainability. Community Development Journal. Vol. 22, No. 3, July 1998. Pages 260-269. (Available through the LTU library services)
Gurumurthy, Anita; Singh, Parminder Jeet & Kovacs, Anja (2009). Recasting the Beijing Platform for Action through the Information Society Lens - A Conceptual and Action Framework. IT for Change. Available through several sources on the Internet. (44 pages)
Lindberg, Malin (2007). Deconstructing gender and innovation - Four regional networks challenging Sweden's innovation policy. Available as PDF in the course material file.
Shiva, Vandana. Staying alive. First published in 1988. Note: Later editions are recommended that include forewords with updated comments and descriptions. (223 pages)
Additional literature may be needed for the Course Exercises. As the exercises are regularly updated, the texts will vary.

Search books in the library »

Department of Business Administration, Technology and Social Sciences

Study guidance for the course is to be found in our learning platform Canvas before the course starts. Students applying for single subject courses get more information in the Welcome letter. You will find the learning platform via My LTU.

by 19 Feb 2010

by Director of Undergraduate Studies Daniel Örtqvist, Department of Business Administration, Technology and Social Sciences 14 Jun 2019