Environmental Change (TEMAM)

Tema M – Environmental Change is a platform for highly topical, problem-oriented and critical interpretive environmental research and education. At a time when almost the entire nature bears traces of human activity, the state of the environment is strongly linked to the development of society. Today, environmental problems are no longer perceived as ‘problems in nature’ but also as complex social problems that set new standards for scientific breadth, integration and problem-solving.

Environmental Change meets this challenge through a strong combination of analysis traditions and methods for natural science, social sciences, and the humanities. Among these included are analysis of biogeochemical processes and material flows, policy studies developed in close collaboration with user groups, as well as analytical studies of ideas and debates within the environmental and climate field. By promoting interdisciplinary cooperation in the borderland between these different analytical traditions, Tema M ensures that environmental change as a concept, process and political point at issue is not taken for granted but instead subject to constant review and transparency.

Tema M builds on a strong tradition of interdisciplinary environmental studies that have permeated the unit since 1980 and the Center for Climate Science and Policy Research (CSPR) since 2004. At Tema M, these studies are further developed and profiled in relation to contemporary environmental science and environmental policy development.

News

Matlagning.

20 October 2026

Plant-based food should be the default option, say LiU researchers

It is well known that we should eat less meat. But why is the change so slow? And why are meals containing meat always the default option?

Panel discussion on AI and sustainability.

29 September 2026

Researchers call for greater responsibility and sustainability in AI development

AI development must be matched by responsibility, improved governance, and sustainability. That is the message from scientists at Linköping University, who met across disciplines to discuss values, security, environmental impacts and AI politics.

Några personer som sitter i ett rum.

16 September 2026

Future workshops give more people a say in shaping the future

From Vision to Change. Through the Enhance project, students, researchers and societal stakeholders in six countries have tested future workshops to develop ideas for education, campuses and communities.

Calendar

Research areas

Research environments

Publications

Latest publications

2026

Manuel Fernández Santana, Gunnar Höst, Anders Jidesjö, Konrad Schönborn (2026) Using Interactive Visualization to Induce Transformative Conversations With Pre-Service Science Studies Teachers Journal of Transformative Education (Article in journal) https://dx.doi.org/10.1177/15413446261495581
Naghmeh Nasiritousi, Kristina Trygg, Per Bolund, Alexandra Buylova, Rebecka Ericsdotter Engström, Alexandra Glemstedt, Sara Gustafsson, Kes McCormick, Harald Rohracher, Lisa Sanderink, Åsa Svenfelt, Björn Wickenberg (2026) The limits and opportunities of the EU Cities Mission: bridging literatures and learning from frontrunner cities in Sweden Urban Transformations, Vol. 8, Article 31 (Article in journal) https://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s42854-026-00117-w
Mads Ejsing (2026) Rethinking Climate Assemblies Within Complex Democratic Systems: Coupling and Pathways of Influence Beyond Policy Uptake Journal of Deliberative Democracy, Vol. 1 (Article in journal) https://dx.doi.org/10.16997/jdd.2190
Jan-Olof Drangert (2026) Revised diets and urban infrastructure can improve human health and the global environment Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, Vol. 10, Article 1881497 (Article, review/survey) https://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2026.1881497
Mu-An Tsai, Avery Opalka, Magnus Gålfalk, Kyle J. Daun (2026) A feasibility study on the implementation of ground-based hyperspectral imaging for methane emission monitoring at landfills Journal of the Air and Waste Management Association (Article in journal) https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10962247.2026.2716327
Ronny Lauerwald, David Bastviken, Tom Battin, Philippe Ciais, Hanqin Tian, George H. Allen, Gwenael Abril, Nuria Catalan, Bridget R. Deemer, Alessandra Marzadri, Yves Prairie, Suzanne E. Tank, Qianlai Zhuang, Lishan Ran, Josep G. Canadell, Pierre Regnier (2026) Importance, drivers and trends of inland water greenhouse gas emissions Nature Reviews Earth & Environment (Article, review/survey) https://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s43017-026-00818-7
Maria Jernnäs, Alva Linnér (2026) Inequality matters: patterns of policy interventions in states' Paris climate plans Climate and Development, p. 1-12 (Article in journal) https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17565529.2026.2683120
Garrett McKay, Kai Cheng, Andras Gaspar, Mourad Harir, Philippe Schmitt-Kopplin, Norbert Hertkorn, Ronald Benner, Karl Kaiser (2026) Optical and Photochemical Properties of Suwannee River Natural Organic Matter Fractions Generated by Preparative Free Flow Electrophoresis Environmental Science and Technology (Article in journal) https://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.6c07200

PhD Programme and education

Contact

Staff

Address

Visit us in Tema Building, Campus Valla

Postal adress
Linköping University, Department of Thematic Studies/Environmental Change, 581 83 Linköping, Sweden

About the Department of Thematic Studies