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KTH's University-wide sustainability objectives 2021-2025

Gender equality, diversity and equal opportunities are both a prerequisite and a goal for sustainable development. Gender equality is explicitly included in the sustainability goals. This makes the work more efficient and coordinated, and social sustainability aspects may need to be emphasized as they are otherwise easily overlooked in relation to economic and environmental sustainability.

Gender Equality in KTH's Sustainability Goals for Education

KTH's vision statement for education in sustainable development is that: "KTH is a leading technical university in education for sustainable development where all graduates will be equipped to drive and participate in the transition to sustainable development, a gender-equal and climate-neutral society."

Sub-goals for Education (to be achieved by the end of 2025):

1.1 Sustainable development is integrated into all KTH education programs at all levels, ensuring graduates understand technology's societal role and individual responsibility, possessing the knowledge and skills to drive sustainable societal development and contribute to a gender-equal and climate-neutral society.

1.2 All KTH undergraduate and graduate engineering programs, and the architecture program, have achieved at least level 3 in the CDIO standards for sustainable development. All master's and doctoral programs have achieved at least level 2.

1.3 KTH offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs focused on sustainable development and climate transition from an interdisciplinary perspective.

Actions Taken:

  • Procedures and practices within appointment and promotion committees are being developed to consider competence in sustainable development and gender equality, as well as the schools' preparation.

  • Courses and programs are being reviewed and updated to integrate sustainable development, gender equality, and climate considerations, ensure alignment with the CDIO standards, and include interdisciplinary programs focused on sustainable development and climate transition.

Gender Equality in Sustainability Goals for Collaboration, Integration, and Work Practices:

KTH's overarching sustainability goals for collaboration, integration, and work practices also explicitly include gender equality:

  • "KTH's collaborations, research, and innovations contribute to sustainable development, gender equality, and climate transition, with increased and clear societal impact."

  • "KTH's work on sustainable development and gender equality is integrated into operations, and employees and those working on behalf of KTH have the knowledge and resources to contribute according to their role."

*An intersectional perspective on gender equality

KTH's vision of gender equality is to be understood through an intersectional lens . Because men and women are not homogenous groups, and many do not identify within the binary, lived experiences and life circumstances vary significantly. This highlights the importance of understanding the interplay of different power structures. Gender equality, therefore, means equal opportunities for all, regardless of gender, ethnicity, class, sexuality, etc., recognizing that diverse backgrounds create unique challenges and opportunities. Achieving gender equality at KTH requires actively counteracting all forms of discrimination and promoting inclusion for everyone.

When discussing the work of change for gender equality, we therefore often use the acronym JML, which stands for gender equality, diversity and equal opportunities.