About us

Our Profile

Artec is a university research centre with a clear orientation towards social-ecological research. We build on a critical, interdisciplinary tradition of the University of Bremen and are oriented towards socially just and environmentally sound development as laid down in the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The conceptual focus of our work is on political ecology, industrial ecology and research on systems of provision. Our research approach is transdisciplinary: we explicitly address societal problems and work together with groups and actors outside academia. In research and promotion of young scientists, we want to contribute to the identification of strategies and viable paths for a socio-ecological transformation of society, from the local level to international projects.

Our current research relates to the scientific priorities (WSP) and guiding goals of the University of Bremen and has three thematic focuses: firstly, sustainable regional development with projects on climate, coast and resources; secondly, research into resilient energy systems with the technical and social aspects of the energy transition (“Energiewende”); and thirdly, research into the cultures of sustainability, relating in particular to the topics of consumption, communication and organisation. Perspectives on environmental governance, gender relations and environmental justice form a transversal conceptual grid.