Research in Crises and Transformation

The profile area is based on science-based sustainability models, such as Raworth’s doughnut model. In this visual model, ecological sustainability forms the ceiling, and social sustainability is the foundation.

Between the ceiling and the foundation lies a safe and just space for humanity and a regenerative and distributive economy. The foundation encompasses peace, the rule of law, food, water, energy, infrastructure, democracy, gender equality, equity and education. The planet’s natural resources define the ceiling. Breaking through the ceiling or falling short of the foundation can be both the consequences and the risks of crises.

Crises

A crisis can be defined as a situation that challenges human behaviours, social interactions, societal structures, and means of communication within a specific temporal and spatial context. Within the profile area, crises are studied as ecological, cultural, political, psychological, and social phenomena, while focusing on their causes, consequences and management.

A crisis is a serious event that affects many people and requires adaptation, whether in the short or long term. In recent years, the security situation in Sweden and the rest of the world has gradually changed significantly, with an escalating spiral of violence involving increasingly younger perpetrators and victims, attacks on civilians, and a new need for increased preparedness due to international conflicts.

Examples of recent crises include the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine and the COVID-19 pandemic. Crises may also take the form of natural disasters, such as those caused by volcanic eruptions, hurricanes, wildfires, floods, and earthquakes. Additionally, terrorist attacks and coups d’état are other examples of crises.

Different social institutions can be in crisis when challenged in different ways – the rule of law when challenged by gang crime, and democracy when challenged by anti-democratic forces. Research itself can also face crises of various kinds, when its reliability is called into question, for example, by the use of flawed methods or the existence of external threats to free research.

Society is facing several major health crises, such as increased mental illness and suicide among young people, and increased sick leave due to long-term health problems. Crises have a significant impact on people’s mental and physical health. Therefore, the health aspect of crises is central.

Crises do not have to be physical. They may take the form of an economic crisis, a major cyber attack, or the crisis of the information society, sometimes called the post-truth crisis.

While the climate crisis requires immediate transformation, it differs from many of the crises described above in that it is more subtle over time. Meaning that the effects of non-transformation are not immediately felt everywhere.

However, the climate crisis can also lead to immediate crises, such as natural disasters, droughts and famines, which in turn can lead to, for example, armed conflicts over access to water or other natural resources. In this way, the climate crisis can be part of the theoretical framework for many other crises.

The profile area includes crises in the local community as well as international and global crises.

Transformation

Transformation is a process that changes the way societies and individuals organise, communicate, and act in response to new challenges or needs. It is about creating sustainable solutions through innovation and the transformation of systems, behaviours, and values.

The profile area emphasises the social, ecological, socio-technical and cultural dimensions of transformation, including the role of education, policy development and global justice. It can be an acute transformation or a longer-term societal transformation. Given the seriousness of crises, they require different types of responses. These may include, for example, rescue, civil defence, military, police, judicial, communications, cultural policy and health services.