Basics for Sustainability Transformations -course
In the Basics for Sustainability Transformations, top experts in the field offer a series of 14 lectures that dive into demanding sustainability challenges. From the online lectures, you’ll get interesting and inspiring insights into creating a sustainable life and society. The lectures cover various areas of society, such as work, business, leadership, governance, legislation, social imagination, well-being, and education. In addition to the lectures, the course includes an essay assignment.
The English-language online lectures were part of the Sustainability Transformation Doctoral Pilot’s Sopuli course in the fall of 2025. Ten universities and the Finnish Environment Institute (Syke) were involved in delivering the lecture series. The lectures can also be freely watched individually.
Completing the course for master´s and doctoral students
Completing the course ‘Basics for Sustainability Transformations’ helps in finding and positioning your researcher identity as part of sustainability transformations.
LINK TO THE COURSE PAGE: YY00FA41 Basics of Sustainability Transformations | Opinto-opas 2025-2026
The course can be found also from Sustainability Studies Network, courses by UEF: University of Eastern Finland – Sustainability Studies Network.
Basics for Sustainability Transformations – open online lectures
These online lectures were held in zoom during autumn 2025, being open to anyone interested in the topics. The language for the lectures is English.
The lecture recordings, with subtitles:
- 8.9.25 Jarkko Levänen, LUT University: What is sustainability science?
- 11.9.25 Ilari Sääksjärvi, University of Turku: Biodiversity as a basis of life on Earth
- 15.9.25 Jouni Jaakkola, University of Oulu: What is planetary health?
- 18.9.25 Minna Halme, Aalto University: Sustainability in business in the context of societal sustainability transformation
- 22.9.25 Leena Aarikka-Stenroos, Tampere University: From linear to circular economy: Circular, low carbon business perspective
- 25.9.25 Teemu Koskimäki, University of Eastern Finland: Ecological economics: Sustainable development within just planetary boundaries
- 29.9.25 Niko Soininen, University of Eastern Finland: Roles of law in sustainability transformation
- 20.10.25 Hannu L.T. Heikkinen, University of Jyväskylä: Education for sustainability transformation
- 23.10.25 Lecture will be held on Monday 24.11.
- 6.11.25 Katriina Siivonen, University of Turku: Cultural sustainability transformation
- 10.11.25 Reetta Toivanen, University of Helsinki: Indigenous perspectives to sustainability sciences
- 13.11.25 Irmeli Mustalahti, University of Eastern Finland: Environmental collaboration in sustainability transformation
- 17.11.25 Maria Huhmarniemi, University of Lapland: Action research for sustainable culture
- 20.11.25 Riikka Paloniemi, Finnish Environment Institute (Syke): Just transformation and citizens’ behavioral change in society
- 24.11.25 Ilkka Ratinen, University of Lapland: Competency-based sustainability transformations
Further information
Course registration is ongoing. You can complete the course independently at your own pace from September 1, 2026 to May 31, 2027.
Course evaluation: Anne Airaksinen – UEFConnect
SusTra Research Community
Are you a doctoral researcher or a post-doc with a focus on sustainability transformations or related themes? Join the SusTra Research Community by filling out a short application form.