Beyond the Backlash: Sustainability for the Future – Conference, 26 November 2026

Welcome to join us for a joint conference between Umeå Transformation Research Initiative (UTRI) and the profile area Societal Transformations at Linköping University. This is the third edition of UTRIs annual conference, this year with participation possible on site at Umeå university and at Linköping university. The conference is held for a full day with possibilities for follow-up discussions during the following day.

En formaterad temabild med händer som håller i varandra tillsammans med vägar och natur. Logotyp för UTRI, Umeå universitet och Linköpings universiet.

Developing dialogue and collaboration to shape sustainable futures beyond the backlash.

Image Elsa Bjurman

About this year’s theme

We are currently facing rising geopolitical tensions, warfare and forced migration as well as accelerating climate change and populism worldwide. Global institutions are losing ground. The milestone 2030 is approached without needed progress on the sustainable development goals and academic expertise as well as freedom face repercussions. These increasingly volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous circumstances leave the path towards sustainable futures more urgent and more challenged than ever.

This conference brings together researchers and policymakers to explore how we can advance sustainability locally, globally, and translocally despite the polycrisis. Through dialogue, collaboration, and critical reflection, we will examine how knowledge, innovation, and collective action can guide research on and for transformation in turbulent times.

A joint conference between UTRI and Linköping University

This year, we are pleased to organize a joint conference between UTRI and the profile area Societal Transformations at Linköping University. This provides an opportunity to strengthen collaboration on these issues and to jointly build pathways toward a sustainable future. You can therefore participate in the conference in person in Linköping or Umeå, or participate online if you are unable to attend in person.

At Umeå University, the conference will take place in Vardagsrummet, the Humanity Building, while in Linköping the venue is to be announced.

Read more about the profile area Societal Transformations at Linköpings University.

Conference program

26 November

8:15 Registration and coffee at each venue

8.30 Welcome and introduction

9.00 Keynote by Karen O’Brien (title to be announced)

10.00 Break and poster session

10.30 Parallel sessions block 1

12:00 Lunch break

13:00-14:30 Parallel sessions block 2

14:30 Break

15:00-16.30 Panel discussion (to be announced)

16:30 and onwards – Mingle

27 November

Follow-up discussions for those who have elected to participate (times to be announced).

The conference program is preliminary and may be subject to changes.

Abstract Submission

We invite researchers to submit abstracts for sessions as well as individual paper or poster presentations. More information about this can be found in the abstract submission form below. You will also select whether to participate in Umeå or Linköping, or remotely.

The conference is aimed at researchers at Umeå University and Linköping university but is open to all. Conference participants can also elect to submit for a special issue in the Journal of Northern Studies.

Please note that the abstract submission is open until 1 June.

Abstract submission form

Get to know the keynote speaker!

Karen O'Brien

Karen O’Brien is a human geographer and internationally recognized scholar whose research focuses on the social dimensions of climate change, human security, and sustainability transformations.

She has contributed to four IPCC assessment reports and co‑chaired the IPBES Transformative Change Assessment. Karen O’Brien is a co‑founder of cCHANGE, an organization supporting transformative sustainability transitions, and was co‑recipient of the 2021 BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Award for Climate Change. She is also Zennström Visiting Professor of Climate Change Leadership at Uppsala University.

Latest update: 2026-04-22