Global Futures: Development, Sustainability, Social Justice

The future of our globe is fraught with major challenges: Climate change, violent conflict, rising socio-economic inequalities and marginalization, displacement and migration, environmental degradation, expanding cities and rapid technological changes shape the multiple futures of people across the globe. Poor and marginalized people are often most affected and least equipped to respond to these global challenges.“Global Futures: Development, Sustainability, Social Justice” is an interdisciplinary program that equips you with the skills to analyze, understand and articulate the complexities and interdependencies of contemporary global challenges. You will learn how these global challenges impact local life worlds, examine the underlying drivers of inequality, conflict and ecological transformation, critically assess the effects of policy interventions, and discuss possible pathways toward more sustainable futures.“Global Futures” is a joint program in Social Anthropology and Geography, with contributions from Area Studies and other disciplines. The program provides training in qualitative methods that can be combined with quantitative approaches and Geographical Information Systems. Furthermore, it provides possibilities for collaboration with partner universities globally and with organizations in the humanitarian and development sectors.

The program offers students the unique opportunity to:

• acquire the ability to analyze global challenges through an interdisciplinary lens based on theoretically and empirically informed research
• critically reflect on the practice of global politics, humanitarianism and development in theoretical, practical, and ethical terms
• experience the spirit of collaboration with students, academics and activists from universities and partner organizations in the ‘Global South’
• apply qualitative field research methods in their own project abroad, and combine them with quantitative skills, including GIS
• gain practical experience and communication skills in different disciplinary and professional contexts

This program equips you with a set of skills, experiences and contacts that prepares you for a variety of positions:

• Employment in think tanks, NGOs, and government: Graduates can work on strategy development, policy advice and project planning in think tanks, in non-governmental organizations (NGOs), or in local, national, or international public administration in the fields of international cooperation, human rights, environmental protection, or social policy.
• Doctoral studies and research: The program provides an excellent basis for doctoral studies at universities worldwide. Students can deepen research skills in development, sustainability, and social justice and become active in teaching, research projects, and academic policy advice.
• Applied research: Many research institutes deal with practical issues of development, sustainability, and social justice. Graduates can contribute to innovative solutions to global challenges.
• Journalism and communication: Graduate’s ability to critically analyze global challenges and their local impacts, and communicate these insights to diverse audiences can be of use to a variety of organizations and institutions, such as trade unions, news agencies and private enterprises.