The Centre for Local Government Studies (CKS) contributes research-based knowledge and innovative thinking to a local government sector undergoing change. We seek to increase understanding of the challenges municipalities are facing and how strategic decision-making can contribute to long-term sustainable development.
We do this through research and collaboration. CKS conducts, supports and disseminates research that informs decision-making and planning in municipal organisations.
Centre for Local Government Studies - CKS
A centre for strategic municipal research and collaboration. Bringing together researchers, municipal officials and elected representatives.
Research-based knowledge is fundamental to municipalities’ ability to address current and future societal challenges.
Research
Research supporting strategic decision-making and long-term planning in municipalities.
CKS conducts strategic local government research both independently and through various forms of collaboration and partnership. CKS is a transdisciplinary research environment. Our researchers draw on different academic traditions which are brought together and integrated both with one another and with the practical and theoretical knowledge contributed by representatives of the local government sector.
Our research is organised around three overarching knowledge areas.
- Local Politics and Democracy
- Local Organisation of Welfare
- Local Development and Spatial Planning
Collaboration
CKS creates meeting places for our partner municipalities and for other municipalities, as well as for regions, national government, and other actors connected to the municipal sphere. We regularly organise training sessions, seminars, and conferences. In addition, we participate in various networks, including those involving municipal council chairs and chief executives from our partner municipalities.
By making our own and others’ research widely accessible, we aim to increase public understanding of the challenges facing municipalities. Our ambition is for this research to be used by politicians and civil servants to strengthen their strategic competence.
We achieve this through learning, interaction, and research communication. For example, we invite our partner municipalities to seminars, educations, and other events. Our researchers are also invited to speak at municipal councils, executive boards, management teams, and similar forums to present their research. We also share our research findings via social media, our newsletter, and other relevant channels.