Under the banner "How Science Can Serve Society," this pivotal event brought together leading thinkers and doers in the fields of environmental science and communication, offering a diverse range of perspectives on the urgent need for academia to engage more directly with the pressing issues of our time.

Prof Alasdair Skelton. Photo: Paul Zieger

Professor Alasdair Skelton, Department of Geological Sciences and Department of Environmental Science, set the tone with a powerful opening address. A self-described legal climate activist, Skelton made a compelling case for the essential role of academic research in driving societal change. With personal stories, including his experiences with climate walks and legal demonstrations, he illustrated the nuanced landscape of climate activism and the potential for academia to contribute positively to the environmental movement. His closing metaphor, comparing the long-term benefits of environmental stewardship to planting an oak tree for future generations, left a resonant message of hope and responsibility.

Prof Kevin Noone. Photo: Stella Papadopoulou

Next, Professor Kevin Noone, Department of Environmental Science, took the stage to challenge the existing "grammar" of scientific research, arguing for a paradigm shift towards a more inclusive and collaborative approach. His critique of the linear, isolated model of scientific inquiry, especially in the face of complex, interconnected challenges like climate change, underscored the need for a transdisciplinary methodology that bridges the gap between scientists and the communities they aim to serve. Through examples like the Thriving Earth Exchange, Noone highlighted the transformative potential of community science, where projects are grounded in local needs and co-produced by scientists and community members alike.

Professor Christina Rudén and Researcher Axel Mie. Photo:Stella Papadopoulou

Prof Christoph Humborg and Head of Policy Gun Rudquist. Photo: Stella Papadopoulou

Professor Christoph Humborg and Head of Policy Gun Rudquist, both from the Baltic Sea Centre, provided insights into the Centre's innovative approach to science-policy engagement. By developing decision support systems and facilitating dialogue between scientists and policymakers, they demonstrated the importance of strategic communication and long-term engagement in influencing policy for the protection of the Baltic Sea.

Prof Hans Peter Arp. Photo: Stella Papadopoulou

Professor Hans Peter Arp, Norwegian Geotechnical Institute and Norwegian University of Science and Technology, shared his journey towards influencing policy and fostering a sustainable, circular chemical economy. His principles for engaging with societal actors, promoting the toxic-free hierarchy, and advocating for precaution in chemical regulation illustrated the critical role of scientific research in shaping policy and societal norms.

Prof Anke Fischer. Photo: Stella Papadopoulou

Lastly, Professor Anke Fischer, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, ventured into the realm of environmental communication with a fresh perspective, advocating for a multilateral, negotiation-based approach that recognizes the constructive potential of conflict. Her call to view communication as a joint construction of meaning rather than mere knowledge transfer offered a novel lens through which to engage with environmental issues.

The Education Award 

In a move to acknowledge the value of teaching excellence in environmental science at Stockholm University, the event spotlighted the contributions of two colleagues: Researcher Frida Edberg and Associate Professor Sofi Jonsson. The pair were the recipients of the Education Award, an accolade that celebrates not only outstanding teaching but also the recipients' commitment to pedagogical development and their support for education at the Department of Environmental Science.

The selection was based on a comprehensive assessment that included nominations from colleagues, feedback from students, and recognition of any additional contributions made by the nominees. 

Researcher Frida Edberg, recipient of Education Award. Photo: Stella Papadopoulou

"Being recognized for my contributions to teaching at the department makes me very happy and grateful. Teaching, interacting with students and other teachers, is incredibly rewarding, and I look forward to continuing to be a part of this," says Frida Edberg.

"While the honour of receiving such an award is undeniably wonderful, it's the interactions with students and the engaging discussions about teaching with my colleagues that truly fulfill me. I'm immensely grateful to be part of a department where new ideas are not just welcomed but embraced, and where our efforts to enhance teaching are deeply valued and appreciated,” says Sofi Jonsson

Associate Prof Sofi Jonsson, recipient of the Education Award. Photo: Stella Papadopoulou

The poster competition 

The poster competition emerged as another key features of the day, with 67 abstracts submitted, encapsulating the latest research insights from Department researchers across three poster sessions. This inclusive event empowered attendees to cast their votes via their mobile phones, complementing the assessment by designated judges. The evaluation was rigorous, based on a set of predetermined criteria, ensuring a fair and comprehensive review of each submission.

Students at poster session. Photo: Ana Juaréz

The competition culminated in the selection of three equal winners, a decision that was as challenging as it was rewarding, given the high caliber of entries. To foster emerging talent, the event prioritized junior scientists, with PhD students Cedric Abele, Almuth Neuberger, and post-doc Yijing Li shining through as the triumphant winners. 

The winners were announced and celebrated during the evening festivities held at the Accelerator Café, Frescati Campus.

The photo booth challenge

Parallel to the intellectual exchange of the poster competition, the Photo Booth Challenge offered a more introspective and personal interaction with science. Engaging over 100 participants, the challenge was a reflective exercise, prompting individuals and groups to encapsulate the role of science in society with a single or a few, resonant word(s) and document their choice with a single photo portrait. 

Students write on the whiteboard at the photo booth. Photo: Stella Papadopoulou

From "educate" to "inspire" to “connect,” the diversity of responses captured was striking, illustrating the multifaceted impact scientific endeavour can have on societal progress. This activity not only fostered a sense of community among the participants, ranging from Master’s students to support staff to senior faculty, but also showcased the personal connection that individuals hold with the broader objectives of scientific research.

The images will feature in an upcoming art project exploring the impact of science on society.

Photo booth challenge. Photo: Paul Zieger

A forum for sharing insights and a call to action

The Environmental Science Research Day 2024 at Stockholm University emerged not just as a forum for sharing scientific insights but as a call for a more engaged, collaborative, and proactive approach to tackling the environmental challenges of our era. 

“The day was transformative, inspiring us with new ideas and positivity amid pressing environmental challenges. It also provided a valuable chance to reconnect and engage with peers, colleagues, students, and stakeholders. I am proud to be part of such a fantastic and stimulating environment, ” says Associate Professor Paul Zieger, Deputy Head of Department and head of the organizing committee. 

In a world grappling with the complexities of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution, the event underscored the vital role of environmental science in serving society, not just through discovery but also through direct action and dialogue.