LUCSUS celebrated 25 years!
In September, LUCSUS celebrated its 25th anniversary at Palaestra et Odeum in Lund. The event reflected on what has shaped LUCSUS and sustainability science over the years, and looked towards the future of research, education and impact for sustainability.
The Vice-Chancellor established LUCSUS as an independent centre at Lund University in 2000 under the name of MICLU (Miljövetenskapligt Centrum vid Lunds universitet). In 2005, when the centre became fully faculty independent, it changed its name to LUCSUS. Since 2019, the centre has been part of the Faculty of Social Sciences.
In the late 1990s, Lund University ranked among the lowest in Sweden in environmental performance. “Only Uppsala was ranked lower,” says former LUCSUS Director, Lennart Olsson. “Engaged students were enraged. They organised themselves to better express their concerns and ideas for improvement to the Vice-Chancellor. As a result, Lund University improved its sustainability governance and created a centre for sustainability studies.”
More than 250 people registered for the 25th anniversary celebratory event: researchers, students, alumni and collaboration partners. It featured presentations from LUCSUS’s current and former directors, detailing the genesis and development of LUCSUS as a centre; a panel debate on the future of sustainability research and education, and a poster presentation highlighting examples of LUCSUS’s ongoing research projects.
Barry Ness, LUCSUS Director, says:
“It was such an amazing and emotional day! We had a full house of engaged and passionate speakers, pan- ellists and participants at our anniversary in Palaestra.”
“We feel proud thinking back on how LUCSUS has developed over these 25 years. We are humbled and grateful to all of those who contributed along the way.”
“25-year anniversary at Lund University Centre for Sustainability Studies! An afternoon about the origins of sustainability research and education that brought Lund University to the top. More importantly, discussions about the options ahead for academia and humankind.”
– Erik Renström, Vice-Chancellor for Lund University
“In 2008, LUCSUS was among the first in the world to create a PhD programme in Sustainability Science – many have followed.”
– Lennart Olsson, former Director of LUCSUS and Professor in Geography