INTERDISCIPLINARY SOCIETAL STUDIES

SOCIETY STUDIES RIGHTS SOCIOECONOMICS POLITICS OF FOOD GENDER POVERTY AND AID POLITICAL ECOLOGY GEOPOLITICS Interdisciplinary Societal Studies Interdisciplinary societal studies is an area of research that encompasses learning about how contemporary societies deal with their surroundings and how they can enhance sustainability in terms of the economy, society and politics. This area of research is somewhat considered the think-tank within the Centre as it unifies societal issues on a broader sense and theoretically orients itself within the social sciences, including aspects of anthropology, economics, geography, history, mass communications, political science, psychology, sociology and women's studies. It focuses on thematic and overlapping issues that umbrella human rights, differences between rich and poor, game theory, societal harmonisation, international relations, multidimensional views of power and power relationships and meta-geopolitics. Our research goes beyond countries and examines the multidisciplinary differences in levels of global governance and trade, from the United Nations, North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the European Union to recent large-scale trade agreements, worldwide corporate influence and international agendas (e.g. the European Union’s 20-20-20 Agenda). We see this broadened background as an understanding of societies and as a useful tool for the global citizen in the pursuit of happiness, peace and harmony. Interdisciplinary Concentrations Special interdisciplinary concentrations include: political transformations; international comparative studies on environment, sustainability and social change; and understanding how well key theories and dynamics perform in practice. Specialisations in complex global sustainability issues are addressed by international governance arrangements, rules and organisations, both public and private. Pressing issues are those related to climatic changes, biodiversity, water quality, the quality of ecosystems and natural resource suppliers. In terms of multinational corporations, the private sector plays a crucial role in shaping sustainability in the current economic paradigm. Innovative environmental partnerships, specifically focusing on the role of societal and ethical responsibility of business and the market, at large, are key within this paradigmatic focus. The Centre observes that political power struggles continue to trouble humanity as it struggles (1) to find a cooperative middle-ground in harmony with our biological needs as a cohabitant species on the planet, (2) to cooperate among ourselves and (3) to organise and cooperatively plan a future for our children. This power struggle and lack of cooperation continues to lead to conflict, war and desperation.

RESEARCH SUSTAINABILITY HUMAN GEOGRAPHY ENVIRONMENT INTERDISCIPLINARY SOCIETAL STUDIES      SOCIETY STUDIES      RIGHTS      SOCIOECONOMICS      POLITICS OF FOOD      GENDER      POVERTY AND AID      POLITICAL ECOLOGY      GEOPOLITICS INSTITUTIONAL COLLABORATION