Happy New Year! News, Jobs, Events, Opportunities and lots more...
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A quick round up of this week's news, jobs and opportunities
News
Happy New Year! This is the first ACCESS newsletter of 2025. Please keep sending any items you would like me to include in the newsletter - recently published papers, events, surveys, jobs and interesting opportunities.
It would be great to see more of you on our ACCESS Expert Database. We have over 800 people in our wider ACCESS network subscribing to this newsletter and we'd like to get to know you better and get more of you involved in our work - joining the database is an easy, quick way to do this!
In case you missed it...
Check out our new What is Environmental Social Science? webpage
Created by the ACCESS team with invaluable input from social scientists all around the UK. This information is designed to support Environmental Social Scientists and anyone with an interest in incorporating Environmental Social Science in their work
- Explainers
- Reports & papers
- Slide deck and Flip book
- Case studies
- Recorded webinars
Jobs
University of Bath’s Department of Psychology is seeking to recruit three Lecturers
Candidates with research strengths in any relevant area of psychology that fit with the University's key areas of research. They are particularly keen to receive applications from candidates who complement our research in the following areas of psychology: Addiction, Autism (with a child/youth focus), Digital applications (e.g., Artificial Intelligence), Environmental Psychology, Pain Psychology, and Youth Mental Health.
The closing date for applications is Sunday 19 January
5 CAST PhD studentships at the University of Bath
The Centre for Climate Change and Social Transformations has currently five funded PhD studentships now open for applications, based at the University of East Anglia and the University of Bath.
Topics include:
- Integrated behavioural-technological solutions for sustainable campus accommodation (Institute of Sustainability and Climate Change, University of Bath)
- GIF CDT: Public perceptions of carbon capture & storage (CCS) (University of Bath)
- Net zero climate change: political and societal engagement with hard choices and difficult trade-offs (University of East Anglia)
- Human-Climate connections in the workplace (University of East Anglia)
- Net zero: confronting the political and societal barriers to behaviour change (University of East Anglia)
The deadline for applications is Friday 28 February (UEA) and Monday 17 February (Bath).
PhD Engaging the public in sustainable strategic planning through serious games at Cardiff University
The key objectives of this project are
- to develop an online planning game, based on real mapping and/or behavioural data, in which people can compete to improve their city by altering e.g. street layout, transit routes or policies, active travel such as walking/cycling.
- to quantify the impacts of the plans people make in the game e.g. carbon emissions, equity, growth
- to measure the extent to which people are willing to compromise on their plans where there is disagreement
- to answer the research question: is this useful for improving public participation in the UK planning process?
The closing date is Monday 17 February
5 PhD studentships based at the University of Leeds working with INFUZE
INFUZE is an EPSRC funded research project working creatively with communities in Leeds to design more sustainable transport options and reduce car dependency.
PhD Topics:
- Household decision-making on car ownership
- Estimating the potential for shared mobility across place at the national scale
- Visualization for evaluating probabilistic and agent-based models of mobility transitions
- Evaluating new mobility systems [with Department for Transport]
- Governance of the transition to mobility on-demand [with Department for Transport]
The closing date for applications is Friday 28 February
Events
The Construction of Public Opinion in a Digital Age Webinar with Catherine Happer, Director of the Glasgow University Media Group and Senior Lecturer in Sociology
Thursday 30 January 2025, 1 to 2 pm
Drawing on work from her new book, in this webinar, Catherine will be presenting a new model for understanding how media and communications interact with politics, culture, and everyday experience to construct people’s ideas, opinions and thoughts.
This is a Centre for Climate and Communication and Data Science, University of Exeter event. Please email c3ds@exeter.ac.uk if you would like a link to the webinar.
What is the climate story in 2025?
Tuesday 11 February, 12 to 1 pm, webinar
In this webinar, Climate Outreach will be presenting the findings of new research interviews with 20 leading thinkers from academia, business, campaigning and journalism: What do they think 2025 has in store, and who needs to do what to keep momentum behind a positive climate story for all?
Speakers
- Nameerah Hameed, Advocacy Manager, Climate Outreach
- Dr Chris Pollard, Senior Researcher, Climate Outreach
- Chris Venables, Director of Politics, Green Alliance
- And more to be announced...
Call for applications: Rethinking Rural Futures in an Age of Climate Change
Monday 12 to Saturday 17 May, Venice International University
This PhD Academy invites participants to learn from leading thinkers working in the fields of rural development, migration studies, climate adaptation, and sustainable food systems. The Academy is suitable for PhD students, post-docs, and early career researchers working in the interdisciplinary fields of rural development, climate adaptation, sustainable food systems, and/or migration studies.
The closing date for applications is Friday 31 January
For further information see the website or send an email to phdacademy@univiu.org.
UPEN 2025 Annual Conference
Tuesday 10 & Wednesday 11 June, University of Surrey
Universities Policy Engagement Network (UPEN) has announced the date for its 2025 conference. This year's conference will focus on 'Evaluation and impact in academic-policy engagement', and UPEN are now seeking contributions from academics and policy engagement specialists for the event.
If you wish to have your institution included in the planned exhibition series, you have until Wednesday 15 January to register interest, and until Friday 31 January to submit a research abstract, workshop or panel idea.
Training
Inclusive leadership
Are you a current or aspiring leader? You can improve employee wellbeing and productivity by becoming a psychologically informed leader with evidence based programme approved by The Institute of Leadership.
This programme is suitable for those who have a solid understanding of psychological theories, whether through an undergraduate psychology degree or related social science.
Opportunities
Seeking 7 members for a Scientific Advisory Committee and Expert Panel
As a member of NatureScot’s Advisory Committee, you will:
- Provide advice to the NatureScot Board and staff on scientific matters, contribute to NatureScot’s research work within the context of the Corporate Plan, and advise on novel and contentious science issues;
- Undertake peer reviews contributing to the quality assurance of reports and other scientific material;
- Review the scientific basis for the notification of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), and any consents, when requested to do so by the Protected Areas Committee, including cases in which NatureScot is obliged to consider representations made by interested parties, and to advise the NatureScot Board as appropriate; and
- Contribute to in-depth investigations of particular topics as required by the NatureScot Board or when requested by the Deputy Director of Nature and Climate Change.
They are also looking to appoint members to their scientific Expert Panel. These members are called on, as required, to provide advice on scientific matters (especially in relation to novel and contentious work), to peer review NatureScot research reports and to contribute to in-depth investigations of specific research themes that underpin NatureScot’s programme of work.
The closing date is Thursday 30 January
It's not too late to apply
Recruitment of members for the newly formed Science and Technology Advisory Council, Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ)
The Science and Technology Advisory Council (STAC) will advise DESNZ, including Ministers and Senior Officials, on scientific, technical, and analytical evidence relating to the Prime Minister’s mission to make the UK a clean energy superpower and the Department’s aims to secure the UK’s long-term energy supply, bring down bills, and reach net zero. The STAC will support the Chief Scientific Adviser to provide independent advice and challenge to the Department utilising the best available evidence and expertise.
DESNZ is looking for outstanding individuals from relevant academic or industrial backgrounds, including both eminent senior leaders and excelling mid-career professionals. This is a high-profile opportunity to gain unique insight into a core government department and to provide advice to inform key policymaking and delivery decisions.
The deadline for applications is Sunday 12 January at 7pm
New calls for evidence
Select committees currently accepting written evidence
Fairness in the food supply chain | Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee | 24 January
GB Energy and the net zero transition | Scottish Affairs Committee | 12 January
Buses connecting communities | Transport Committee | 17 January
Governing the marine environment | Environmental Audit Committee | 17 January
Fill out a survey to help shape priorities for the Driving Urban Transitions Partnership
The Driving Urban Transitions (DUT) Partnership has invited stakeholders to shape the priorities for its 2025 and 2026 joint calls for research and innovation projects. Through a participatory survey, contributors can provide input on key urban challenges across the partnership’s three thematic areas, the Transition Pathways: Circular Urban Economies, Positive Energy Districts, and the 15-minute City. The survey results will inform the development of calls aimed at creating more inclusive, sustainable, and liveable cities.
The survey will be open until 19 January 2025.
Survey link here. For more information on the survey visit their website.
POST, the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology, is calling for research contributions and information relevant to this new POSTnote
POST, the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology, is calling for research contributions and information relevant to these new POSTnotes:
- cultivated meat: this POSTnote aims to outline the major challenges, opportunities, and risks associated with approving the sale of cultivated meat for human consumption in the UK. It will consider research into environmental, social, nutrition and economic impacts and explore stakeholder
perspectives.
The deadline to submit a contribution to the cultivated meat POSTnote is 21 February
What is Environmental Psychology?
Calling all environmental psychologists and people-environment researchers, to participate in a short survey about “What is environmental psychology?”.
This project is being conducted by Birgitta Gatersleben, Amanda Gabriel, and the Environmental Psychology Research Groups at Surrey and SLU Alnarp. Their aim is to capture an understanding of what is environmental psychology right now. We understand there are a diversity of perspectives, approaches, and expertise in environmental psychology globally. The survey takes about 10 minutes to complete.
Info
Are you on the ACCESS Environmental Social Science expert database?
Join our searchable database of social scientists and experts working in the fields of climate and environment. The database includes both academics in universities as well as those working in the public sector, charities and businesses. It's quickly becoming one of our most visited web pages. A useful resource for people looking to collaborate and connect with environmental social scientists.
It only takes 15 to 20 minutes to complete the online form.
New climate communications resources: Climate Scientists’ Toolkit for Communicating on 1.5°C and a Climate Communicators’ Evidence Bank
The Grantham Institute (Imperial) and Purpose Union have produced two new resources for climate scientists that you may find useful: a Climate Scientists’ Toolkit for Communicating on 1.5°C and a Climate Communicators’ Evidence Bank
Nature on School grounds: for Learning, Health, and Sustainability
Green, species-rich environments enhance children’s well-being and knowledge acquisition, not only by promoting health benefits associated with biodiversity but also by encouraging play and learning about nature and environmental issues.
School grounds could contribute to all of this, but today remain an unexploited space for biodiversity and climate adaptation of cities. This policy brief from Amanda Gabriel, a visiting scholar at the University of Surrey and others, presents the main rationale and possible measures for developing green spaces and biodiversity on school and pre-school playgrounds.
Exploring Plant Power
The University of Exeter and Love Food CIC recently hosted ‘Greens & Gains: A Fun Dive into Plant Power!’ as part of the 2024 ESRC Festival of Social Science. Held at the Love Food CIC Community Hub in Exeter, the event showcased how small dietary changes can positively impact health and the planet through interactive activities.
Promoting sustainable cities through creating social empathy between new urban populations and planners
New migrant populations in rapidly growing cities globally are often socially and politically marginalized, limiting their potential to contribute to the positive transformation of urban futures. Such marginalisation can potentially be overcome through deliberate efforts to build empathy between groups. Authors Neil Adger and Ricardo Safro De Campos apply insights on empathic action to planning processes to diversify planning processes to provide plural perspectives on risk and sustainability and give marginalised groups opportunities to shape key decisions.
Voices on the Move Podcast
Voices on the Move is a podcast series exploring the complex relationship between climate change and mobility. It aims to amplify the voices and stories of researchers, climate migrants, and community leaders, especially from the Global South.
