The Environmental Science Section (ESS) at Kalmar University was formally constituted in March 2001 in order to coordinate the environmental research conducted at the Department of Biology and Environmental Science. The ESS has its roots in a tradition of high quality teaching at Kalmar University College since the late 1970s, and in the step-wise build up of research during the 1990s. In 1999 environmental science became subject area of its own for doctoral level education at Kalmar University and two years later the four environmental research groups at the Department for Biology and Environmental Science decided to join forces and form the ESS.

Since then, several doctoral students have been recruited, fascinating environmental science research has expanded and the growth in quality and quantity of the ESS research environment is continuing. Today five major research units constitute the ESS. These unites interact in a multitude of ways, in research as well as teaching matters. An Advisory Committee composed of the five research unit-leaders, two doctoral representatives and a secretary coordinates the ESS activities, safeguards the strategic development of the ESS and ensures the scientific quality of the doctoral curriculum.