A bachelor’s programme launched a year ago at the Faculty of Philosophy of Vilnius University is building a growing international student community around a broader understanding of sustainability.

The English-taught programme, “Sustainability and Future Societies,” combines sociology with practical assignments and perspectives from several academic disciplines. Programme head Dr Ieva Adomaitytė-Subačienė says its approach also encourages more open collaboration between students and lecturers.

Students arriving at the faculty often notice the relatively informal way in which they communicate with teaching staff, she says. Their opinions and experiences become part of classroom discussions, allowing participants to learn from one another as well as from academic sources.

Adomaitytė-Subačienė says sustainability is often associated mainly with environmental protection. The programme instead examines three pillars: environmental sustainability, social sustainability and transparency in organisational governance. The third area covers the operations and management practices of businesses, non-governmental organisations and public-sector bodies.

Social sustainability includes human rights, gender equality, community inclusion and opportunities for vulnerable groups to participate in society. It also raises practical questions about accessibility, including whether products, services and other public goods are available to people with psychosocial or learning disabilities.

“We aimed to create a programme in which students become creators of future communities. We examine not only global problems such as climate change or anxiety in society, but also seek concrete, evidence-based solutions,” the programme head said.

The curriculum draws on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the principle that future generations will need social and human resources as well as natural ones. When examining sustainable cities, for example, students consider not only infrastructure and environmental conditions but also whether urban life enables different groups to participate in social activities.

Practical seminars and hackathon-style workshops form part of the programme. Students work with partner organisations including the National Institute for Social Integration, the Artificial Intelligence Association and the company The Critical. This enables them to apply knowledge of social policy, research and project management to challenges faced by organisations.

As a bachelor’s programme in sociology, the course covers research methodology, introductory sociology and demography. It also includes European Union social policy, social services, human well-being, social innovation and entrepreneurship.

Its location within the Faculty of Philosophy allows these subjects to be connected with philosophy, psychology, education studies, the concept of the Anthropocene and environmental psychology. The interdisciplinary structure was developed following discussions with partner organisations in the field.

The programme’s first students come from six countries, while its teaching team includes experts from the Netherlands, Jordan, the United Kingdom and other regions. This mix allows participants to compare how issues such as climate injustice, emotional well-being, rising social anxiety and gender equality are understood in Europe, Asia, the Global South and elsewhere.

The programme is also open to Lithuanian students. Studying in English and working in a multicultural group gives participants practical experience of communicating with people whose backgrounds and perspectives differ from their own.

Adomaitytė-Subačienė expects the student community to continue expanding and hopes to strengthen cooperation with international experts, universities and partner organisations.

This article is based on an interview published by Vilnius University with programme head Dr Ieva Adomaitytė-Subačienė.

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Informacija parengta remiantis Vilniaus universiteto Filosofijos fakulteto atstovės dr. I. Adomaitytės-Subačienės interviu.

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Updated2026-07-20 16:10

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