miljøstudier

Miljøstudier is an interdisciplinary field that examines the relationships between human societies and their natural environments. In Norwegian and other Scandinavian contexts the term covers programs and research that integrate natural sciences, social sciences, and the humanities to analyze environmental challenges, sustainability, and policy. Degree programs are offered at bachelor’s and master’s levels, often under names such as environmental studies, sustainability studies, or environmental management. The field aims to explain the causes and consequences of environmental change and to support evidence-based decision‑making in public, private, and civil society sectors.

Core topics include environmental science, ecology, climate and energy systems, pollution and remediation, resource management, land-use planning, environmental law and policy, environmental economics, risk assessment, ethics, and science communication. Methodologies combine quantitative analysis (statistics, modeling, GIS), qualitative research (case studies, interviews), and participatory approaches (stakeholder engagement).

Education paths lead to careers in environmental consultancy, planning and urban development, natural resource management, government agencies, NGOs, research, and education. Variations exist by country and institution.

History: Miljøstudier emerged from late-20th-century environmentalism and sustainability discourse and has become an established academic field in many European universities, with particular development in Norway and Denmark. The term reflects the emphasis on human–environment interactions and interdisciplinary study.