What is sustainability? We often think it is only about ecological, social or economic sustainability – but the reality is much more diverse.
In this video, five ECGS students and future experts in sustainability science answer five questions, to reach a better understanding of the concept.
"I think sustainability is a broad concept because really, you can look at anything from this perspective. I also think that's what makes it fun."
Sam chose the ECGS master's programme because they wanted to be able to approach sustainability from a multidisciplinary perspective.
Read the full interview with Sam below.
The interview was conducted in 2025.
Who are you and what do you study at the University of Helsinki?
I'm Sam and I am in my second year in the Master’s Programme in Environmental Change and Global Sustainability (ECGS) in the Global Sustainability track.
Why did you choose this particular programme?
I was looking for a programme that was interdisciplinary. I wanted to be able to follow the multiple different disciplines I was interested in, and I wanted to fill some knowledge gaps I have to really be able to approach sustainability from a multidisciplinary perspective. It was important to me that the programme offered that. I think this programme does a good job of allowing you to explore different areas.
What has been the best part of your studies so far?
Anytime I've been able to have discussions with my fellow students, I have always been really impressed by their perspectives. There are a lot of people with different perspectives on complex issues, so I have enjoyed the spaces where you can engage with that. Class sizes are also quite small, so being able to engage with professors is nice.
How is sustainability typically shown in the content of your studies, how is it reflected in your studies in practice?
Sustainability is a very complex and broad concept. Firstly, at the core of all ECGS studies is the aim to contribute to meeting international sustainability objectives. Secondly, we look at things such as how we can use resources more efficiently or how we can think critically about different issues to see what isn't working and why. I think sustainability is often solution-oriented, and I think a lot of times we're aiming towards that too.
Name a particularly fun, challenging or memorable course.
I recently took a course called Tropical Landscape Change and it was really nice. It allowed me to apply a lot of different skills that I gained throughout the master’s programme. Part of the course involved GIS analysis of landscape cover change, and there was also an element where we looked at different policies of the Colombian province that I was studying, as well as the drivers of deforestation from a social standpoint. I thought it was a really good reflection of the interdisciplinary perspective I'm interested in.
What is it like to study and live in Helsinki, the capital of Finland?
Helsinki is a calm city; one friend of mine described it as a “lifestyle city”. It's not as flashy as other European capitals, but it's a really nice place to live. There is a lot of things to do if you know where to look— especially if you like outdoor activities. It’s an easy place to live in because things get done, you always feel safe, and have things to do.
What are your thoughts on career possibilities, what are you planning to do after graduating?
It's a little bit of a hard time in the job market, but I'm really looking to work in a conservation- or biodiversity-oriented nonprofit. I’m not discarding the idea of PhD either, and I think a lot of my colleagues from ECGS are thinking about that as well.
Do you have any tips for students considering applying to the University of Helsinki?
Looking at the research groups on the University website can help you see what kind of research is being done at the University. Think about what interests you, explore what classes you could take that would align with your interests, and ultimately consider a research group you might like to do your thesis with. I wish I had done that sooner, and I think it's a really good way to get an idea of what's going on at the university.
What does sustainability mean for you?
It means looking at anything and everything from a critical lens in terms of ‘how does this thing that we're doing impact the natural world?’ I think sustainability is a broad concept because really, you can look at anything from this perspective. I also think that's what makes it fun.
Your tips for anyone to be more sustainable?
Sustainability can be really complex and hard to understand.
The first thing that I would encourage everyone to do is just talk about it more. It's really helpful to discuss sustainability with peers and family. A lot of things to improve sustainability require societal change, and I don't think any individual can achieve that alone. I think that just by talking about it more, you can make a small contribution to making sustainability more accessible to people. It's something that gets people thinking, which I think is a good first step.
Ville-Pekka Niskanen wanted to develop his expertise in environmental and sustainability sciences as there is a growing need for specialists who can assist with allocating our limited resources expediently.
“From the perspective of the future, it is crucial to train experts with varied competence and ability to apply what they have learnt. Merely reporting on the state of the world is not enough; we must also know how to correctly allocate our limited resources.”
Ville-Pekka graduated in 2021.
Did you know that in addition to all previous University of Helsinki degree and exchange students also our staff are our alumni? What do they have to say about studying and learning?
The University of Helsinki offers multidisciplinary study options across 11 faculties. Studying and cooperation across the fields are highly encouraged.
Would you like to know what students from other degree programmes and academic disciplines think about their studies and life in Helsinki?