Decision-making and environmental risks
This is an interdisciplinary course on the theories and practices of environmental risk management decision-making.
It covers aspects of philosophy (ethics and decision theory), political science (decisions and policy development by organizations) and the natural sciences (science and risk management of climate change, air pollution, hazardous chemicals, and water management).
The course is developed with the aim to attract students with different backgrounds to further promote interdisciplinary interactions and learning.
Information for admitted students autumn 2024
Congratulations! You have been admitted at Stockholm University and we hope that you will enjoy your studies with us.
In order to ensure that your studies begin as smoothly as possible we have compiled a short checklist for the beginning of the semester.
Follow the instructions on whether you have to reply to your offer or not.
universityadmissions.se
Checklist for admitted students
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Activate your university account
The first step in being able to register and gain access to all the university's IT services.
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Register at your department
Registration can be done in different ways. Read the instructions from your department below.
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Read all the information on this page
Here you will find what you need to know before your course or programme starts.
IMPORTANT
Your seat may be withdrawn if you do not register according to the instructions provided by your department.
Information from the department - courses
Registration
Admitted students
Register on the web (Ladok for students). The registration will open 5 August for all courses, but check the last day of registration for each course in Ladok. If you have not studied at Stockholm University before, you first need to activate your university account (Get access to IT services).
Conditionally admitted
If you are conditionally admitted you must be able to show the appropriate documents to prove your eligibility to be able to register for the course. To show that you fulfil the requirement and to remove the conditional admittance, please contact us at the department, studeranu@aces.su.se.
How to decline your offer
If you decid not to attend, it’s important that you decline your place as soon as possible so that other students can be awarded a place. Follow the instructions given under Universityadmission.se – ‘Application’ after you log in. Read more here – Declining places you don't wish to keep
Roll call
In order to confirm the final number of participants, every course has a roll-call at the first lecture. If you are unable to attend the roll-call, you need to contact us (studeranu@aces.su.se) no later than the course start date.
Disability Services
Stockholm University provides targeted study support to students with long-term disabilities.
Read more: Studying with a disability
Welcome activities
Stockholm University organises a series of welcome activities that stretch over a few weeks at the beginning of each semester. The programme is voluntary (attendance is optional) and includes Arrival Service at the airport and an Orientation Day, see more details about these events below.
Your department may also organise activities for welcoming international students. More information will be provided by your specific department.
Find your way on campus
Stockholm University's main campus is in the Frescati area, north of the city centre. While most of our departments and offices are located here, there are also campus areas in other parts of the city.
Read more
For new international students
It covers aspects of philosophy (ethics and decision theory), political science (decisions and policy development by organizations) and the natural sciences (science and risk management of climate change, air pollution, hazardous chemicals, and water management).
The course is developed with the aim to attract students with different backgrounds to further promote interdisciplinary interactions and learning.
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Course structure
In the first part of the course, environmental ethics is introduced, including an overview of how different values can be identified and incorporated into decision making on environmental risks. For example, how do we incorporate aspects of sustainability and the needs of future generations in today´s decisions?
The second part turns to decision theory and philosophy of science. It asks how values and facts should be combined in order to make rational decisions, and examines the role of science in providing objective risk assessments. This part also discusses how lack of information and other types of uncertainties can be managed.
This then follows by the perspective from political science and decision-making and policy development by organizations. Covering aspects like “group-thinking” and risk-benefit assessments.
Teaching format
The theoretical parts are complemented by lectures relating to the practices of science and risk management within four different environmental areas: climate change, air pollution and health, hazardous chemicals, and water management. For each environmental area a general background to the problem is provided and how science is generated to inform decisions. The strengths and weaknesses of different scientific methods and the nature and management of remaining uncertainties are discussed. This part also exemplifies actual decision processes and thereby relate the theories to actual practices.
Assessment
The course is examined by a project work, in which the student identifies a relevant decision-maker and perform a semi-structured interview with that person. The purpose of this is to investigate how the decision theories are applied in practice and reflect on if and how actual decision-processes can be improved. The interviews are presented and discussed with the teachers and other students.
Your rights and responsibilities
Your rights and responsibilities as a student
Examiner
Christina Rudén, Christina.Ruden@aces.su.se
Department of Environmental Science, unit of Exposure & Effects
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Schedule
The schedule will be available no later than one month before the start of the course. We do not recommend print-outs as changes can occur. At the start of the course, your department will advise where you can find your schedule during the course. -
Course reports
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Contact
Study counsellors
Questions about admission, registration, schedule etc.
Course coordinator
Christina Rudén, Christina.Ruden@aces.su.se
Department of Environmental Science, unit of Exposure & Effects