Why study Environmental Justice and Governance in Nijmegen?

Environmental justice explores why the environment can be a source of prosperity and well-being for some, while posing risks and threats to others. It highlights everyone’s right to a healthy environment, equal access to natural resources, and a voice in environmental decisions. This concept covers three key areas: distributional justice, procedural justice, and recognition justice. It also connects to historical societal inequalities and global disparities.

This specialisation focuses on justice challenges in environmental governance. Sustainability transitions are deeply linked with equity and fairness, from achieving low-carbon societies and preserving biodiversity to promoting circular economies and sustainable agriculture. How can we balance effectiveness and fairness in the energy transition? Environmental justice issues play out on many scales: global (Global South and North, postcolonialism), regional (European just transition policies), and local (energy poverty in vulnerable communities).

Taking a critical approach, this programme studies both human and nonhuman nature, aiming to understand exclusion and marginality within environmental governance and to promote more inclusive, just sustainability transformations.

Master's specialisation in Environmental Justice and Governance

  • This specialisation introduces students to the latest scholarly insights, key concepts, and debates in environmental justice, with a strong emphasis on governance.
  • You will analyse the root causes of environmental injustices, examining historical power structures such as colonialism and imperialism, alongside contemporary challenges like the energy transition and climate change.
  • You will critically reflect on how governance institutions can possibly harm both people and nonhuman nature through environmental racism, sexism, classism, speciesism, and other forms of discrimination.

Why choose Radboud University

  • Our classes are small and interactive, and our professors are easily approachable. There is an open environment where you can easily come in contact with other students.
  • Our compact campus in Nijmegen is the greenest and most beautiful in the Netherlands, where everything is within walking distance.
  • We encourage our students to take a multidisciplinary approach to their studies, and in many cases, you are free to customise your own programme, so you can learn about and research topics that you are passionate about.
  • You earn a valuable diploma in an outstanding university system. Furthermore, we stimulate and support the development of your critical skills to improve your chances in the job market within your field.
    Do you want to know more about what Radboud University has to offer?
Campaign Think Towards a Better World

With Environmental Justice and Governance

  • We familiarise students with the most current scholarly insights, concepts and debates in the field of environmental justice, with a specific focus on issues of governance.
  • We analyse root causes of environmental injustices based on historical relationships of power and contemporary challenges.
  • We reflect upon how governance institutions can possibly harm both people and nonhuman nature.

Nijmegen School of Management

At Nijmegen School of Management, one of the seven faculties within Radboud University in the Netherlands, we have a clear aim: we enable students to play their part in the transformations towards a sustainable society through high-quality scientific research and education. With more than 5,000 curious students and more than 500 dedicated employees, we form a dynamic community. Read more about the faculty’s story and about our mission, vision and strategic themes.