Marin Slijepčević

What is your background?
My background is in Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Even though my bachelor’s degree isn’t directly in social sciences or climate change, I started to see a lot of connections between workplace safety, environmental protection, and climate issues. Over time, I became more interested in how climate change affects not just the environment, but also people, working conditions, and society as a whole. That’s what pushed me to explore this field further.

Why did you choose the LUCAS programme?
The name Climate Change and Society immediately caught my attention. It made me curious about how society shapes climate change and how climate change, in turn, affects society. I liked that it wasn’t just about the science, but also about people, systems, and real-world impacts.

When I was writing my bachelor’s thesis, I was already very interested in climate-related topics, so I decided to focus my thesis on climate change and labor. That experience confirmed that I wanted to continue studying something connected to environmental and climate issues.

LUCAS felt like the perfect fit because of its interdisciplinary structure. It combines different perspectives and helps you understand the bigger picture. I wanted a programme that would challenge me, expand my thinking, and prepare me to contribute to positive change in the world, and LUCAS really offers that.

What academic and personal skills have you gained so far?
Studying in a programme that is fully in English really pushed me out of my comfort zone in a good way. It helped me become more confident in communicating my ideas and participating in discussions.

One of the biggest personal gains has been working with people from all over the world. Being part of such a diverse group has broadened my perspective and helped me grow both personally and professionally. It has made me more open-minded and confident.

Academically, I’ve improved a lot in critical thinking, and of course reading and academic writing. The interdisciplinary approach has really opened my mind to new ideas and scientific topics. I feel like my curiosity has grown, and I’m more motivated to on keep learning and exploring climate change and society.

How would you describe the courses and the study environment?
At the beginning of the programme, we focused a lot on understanding climate change from a natural science perspective, which gave me a strong foundation. As the programme continued, the courses became more method-focused and research-oriented, especially in relation to climate studies. At the same time, we explored the social drivers of climate change and key topics like mitigation and adaptation.

Each course covers a lot of material, and sometimes it can feel a bit overwhelming. But in the end, everything connects. The courses build on each other, and you start to see how all the pieces fit together.

Studying climate change especially from a social perspective means facing some uncomfortable truths about our societies and the need for major, sometimes radical, changes. It can also make you reflect on your own role and realize that, in some ways, we are all part of the problem.

That’s why the study environment is so important. The LUCAS student community is incredibly supportive. We support each other, help each other, and create a space where people feel seen and understood. That has been one of the most valuable parts of the experience for me.

What advice would you give students starting the programme?
My advice to new students, even though saying this makes me feel a bit old, is that you don’t need to have everything figured out. You don’t need to know exactly what you want to specialise in, and you don’t need to wait for the “perfect” opportunity.

Studying in the LUCAS programme has taught me to be a bit easier on myself. This programme will challenge you and change the way you see the world, especially when it comes to understanding the current state of society and its relationship with climate change. And that’s a good thing.

Be open to new and unexpected perspectives. And most importantly, remember that your whole class is going through the same journey. You’re not alone in feeling overwhelmed, inspired, confused, or motivated. We are all figuring it out together.

What climate change issue do you care mostly about?
I’m really concerned about climate tipping points, especially those related to the oceans and triggered by global warming. The idea that certain changes could become irreversible is both fascinating and scary.

Second, I’ve been reflecting on the albedo effect. On the surface, it seems like a relatively simple concept, how the Earth reflects sunlight. But the more you learn about it, the more complex it becomes. 

Finally, I care deeply about the relationship between supply and demand, basically production and consumption. I’m really interested in how human culture, lifestyles, and everyday choices shape climate change. It makes me realise how much power we actually hold, both individually and collectively.

Describe LUCAS  in three words.
Community, open-minded and emotional