Sustainability Science

A new interdisciplinary programme in Sustainability Science will be launched by PSL University in September 2024. It results from an unprecedented synergy between some of its founding schools, namely: Ecole normale supérieure - PSL (ENS-PSL), Dauphine - PSL, Chimie Paris - PSL and Ecole nationale des Chartes - PSL. This master's program in Sustainability Science aspires to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to apprehend the complexities of social and ecological transition challenges through a rigorous and interdisciplinary approach, in order to train them to draw from multiple fields and apply diverse knowledge to solve sustainability problems in the face of global change.

The Master's is organised over two years, each with complementary objectives. 

In the first year (M1), students in the Sustainability Sciences master's programme concentrate on a core discipline from a choice of twelve, being integrated into a PSL master, called partner master (corresponding to this discipline). These fields are: social sciences, digital humanities, history, geography and geopolitics, philosophy, quantitative economics, applied economics, cognitive sciences, biodiversity and life sciences, earth and climate sciences, chemistry, physics, mathematics. In addition to studying their core discipline in depth, students follow some of the interdisciplinary courses and workshops offered by the CERES center of ENS-PSL dedicated to environmental and social issues (Centre de formation sur l’Environnement et la Société), while developing a interdisciplinary student group project. Their M1 internship or report will be centered on their core discipline with a subject oriented towards social or ecological transitions.

In the second year (M2), all students are grouped into a single curriculum hosted by CERES. Students follow theoretical and methodological courses on global change and different aspects of social and ecological transitions to be activated. Moreover, collaborative student group projects will encourage students 1) to explore intersections between their core discipline and other fields, contributing to a growing body of knowledge dedicated to the transition, and 2) to integrate this knowledge with the expertise of multiple stakeholders, co-constructing and implementing transition solutions in real-world settings. They will practice transdisciplinarity, i.e., the cross-talk between researchers and non-academic actors to address complex questions and co-construct solutions, including practical knowledge, field experiences and the diverse perspectives.

The program is so designed for students to deepen their knowledge in their core discipline, learn to apply it to interdisciplinary research and generate new research questions in relation to contemporary environmental crises that transcend traditional disciplinary boundaries.

Learning outcomes

The curriculum aims at providing a comprehensive understanding of global change, transition scenarios, and transition initiatives from a scientific perspective, while exploring alternative viewpoints (e.g., grassroots activists, advocacy groups, lobbies, farmers in the Global South…).
The overarching goal is to guide students in mobilizing their core discipline within interdisciplinary research focused on ecological and social transition. 
Through a problem-based learning approach, students engage with real-world challenges in the ecological and social transition, fostering critical thinking and collaborative research, as well as transdisciplinary interactions i.e., between scientific fields and with non-academic stakeholders involved in the transition.
Students also acquire practical skills, e.g., communicating science or conducting surveys.
This multifaceted educational approach aims that graduates not only possess a solid academic foundation but are also adept at effectively communicating complex ideas and engaging with diverse audiences.

Who should apply?

Our inclusive program welcomes students from virtually all possible backgrounds, spanning mathematics, physics, chemistry, earth and climate sciences, life sciences, biodiversity and life sciences, cognitive science, economics, philosophy, geography, history, social sciences and law. This diversity forms the foundation for a comprehensive understanding of sustainability issues. Students should share a keen interest in understanding the causes and consequences of the biodiversity and climate crises and in working collectively with students of other disciplines to tackle transitions in a systemic way. This collaborative and practical approach reflects the goal of training students who are not only well-versed in academic knowledge but are also adept at applying their skills to address real-world issues. 

Opportunities

This master's program opens doors to a wide array of career opportunities, reflecting the growing need for young graduates trained in coping with the challenges posed by global change. 

• Our graduates will be able to engage in PhD theses in interdisciplinary transition research, participating in dedicated programs focused on transition challenges (e.g., as embodied by various PEPR – “Programmes et Equipements Prioritaires de Recherche” exploratoires such as TRACCS, TRANSFORM, FairCarboN, BRIDGES, Maths VivES or OneWater) or in interdisciplinary research institutes like CIRED or LSCE.
• In the private sector, graduates can contribute to the transition in dedicated roles within business firms with a social and environmental purpose, think tanks (e.g., IDDRI, Campus de la transition, Shift project…), as well as consulting firms (e.g., Ecoact, Sweep, Carbon 4…). The spectrum extends to research and development, corporate social responsibility, and environmental and social roles within companies.
• Public sector avenues include roles in NGOs dedicated to sustainable and fair transition (Pollinis, Bloom, Greenpeace…), governmental institutions like the Ministry of Ecological Transition, France Stratégie, and environmental or social agencies like ADEME.