The qualification combines many perspectives to showcase the climate crisis from a holistic point of view. Professor Plank believes this approach is crucial in addressing such challenges, so much so that during the onboarding phase, her students will be expected to undergo a module on inter- and transdisciplinary approaches and processes.

This level of exposure also ensures graduates can thrive across a range of sectors — be it public or private, non-governmental organisations, or academia. Within these industries and beyond, they will be able to engage in roles involving strategy development, policy implementation, and assessment for climate change mitigation, adaptation, and societal transformation.

Of course, wherever they go, they will arrive prepared. BOKU’s Climate Change and Societal Transformation programme integrates hands-on, practical experiences that perfectly complement theoretical knowledge. “For example, students will go on a field trip to study sustainable cities, the urban metabolism and climate change, or they can try out how to negotiate the climate crisis at the level of international organisations,” explains Professor Plank.

Climate change is one of humanity’s most critical challenges today, significantly affecting our physical environment and socio-ecological systems. As scientists have predicted over the years, heatwaves are intensifying, and glaciers and ice sheets are melting just as quickly as sea levels are rising. BOKU’s Master’s Programme in Climate Change and Societal Transformation was designed to equip tomorrow’s heroes with a comprehensive understanding of the climate crisis, as well as the tools to address it.