ÖFK: Social Acceptance for Green Transition in the Multicultural North
The ongoing industrial transition to green technologies is facing both widespread social support and growing resistance. What makes people accept some large-scale societal changes while actively opposing others?
Based on research from both Sweden and abroad, this introductory course prepares you to better understand and analyse the presence of acceptance and resistance to industrial projects. The course provides international outlooks and best practices while placing emphasis on understanding the preconditions for social acceptance/resistance in northern Sweden – a place shaped by a complex history of industrialization and presence of indigenous people and national minorities.
After completing the course, you will be able to analyse some key factors and processes shaping social acceptance and be better equipped to find ways forwards towards a just and effective green transition.
Facts
Target group:
Professionals working with societal issues and social sustainability connected to the green transition. E.g., professionals in industry, business, state, municipalities, regions, and civil society.
Prerequisite knowledge:
No pre-requisite knowledge is needed.
Start date:
May 5, 2025
Study time:
40 hours in total spread over one month. This includes independent studies (35 hours) and online-seminars (5 hours).
Course format:
100% online
Credentials:
Certificate of completion
Language:
English
Price:
XX SEK (excluding VAT)
Sign up:
Via the link further down on this page
What you will learn
The course will practice your skills in analysing and promoting social acceptance in relation to general, industrial-, and place-specific factors and processes.
The course introduces you to the current state-of-the-arts about:
- What general factors and processes that shape social acceptance/resistance to policies and societal change.
- What industry-specific factors and processes that shape social acceptance/resistance to projects across different industries, e.g. in mining, energy, and infrastructure. With special focus on research about social license to operate (SLO) and corporate social responsibility (CSR).
- What place-specific factors and processes that shape social acceptance/resistance to industrial project in northern Sweden. With special focus on research about how industrialization and state policies have been experienced by local communities, indigenous Sámi, and the Tornedalian minority.
What you can expect
A course based on frontline social science research about the green transition. The course is led by researchers specialized on how social acceptance and resistance links to practices in industry and politics.
How the course will be conducted
The course includes a reading list on current research, a series of pre-recorded lectures by experts, and two case-based workshops.
The course is fully digital. Participants access lectures, readings, and workshops via internet-based software. To participate you need access to a stable internet connection, a computer, and a well-functioning camera and microphone.
To pass the course
The course is examined through digital participation in two interactive case-based workshops. Participants will be asked to analyse factors and processes shaping social acceptance/resistance in real life cases. The task includes outlining potential action strategies in response to developments in cases.
Teachers
Simon Matti, professor in Political Science, LTU. Specialized in research on general social acceptance to policies and societal change.
Gregory Poelzer, associate senior lecturer, Political Science, LTU. Specialized in research on Social License to Operate (SLO) and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in the green transition.
Daniel Fjellborg, post-doctoral researcher, Political Science, LTU. Specialized in research on resistance towards industrial projects, as well as minority and indigenous politics in northern Sweden.
Registration
- Register here
We will contact you when the start date for the course is set.
Luleå University of Technology reserves the right to cancel the course if there are too few registered.
Contact us
LTU Professional Education uppdragsutbildning@ltu.se
What is Open for Climate?
Open for Climate is a government-funded initiative that aims to support society's climate transition through open, online education. The initiative is a collaboration between eight Swedish higher education institutions and offers short courses aimed at professionals. The courses cover areas such as leadership for sustainable transition, digitalization, circular economy, battery technology and much more.
Updated: