News, Jobs, Events, Opportunities and lots more...
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Quick round up of this week's news, jobs and events
Events
Thursday 14 November, 1 to 1.50 pm, online
Travel represents a major component of the carbon impact of universities through travel associated with research, student recruitment, international student travel and field courses. Many universities have declared environment and climate emergencies and have values-statements that reference ecological care. Yet shifting practices, systems and policies is challenging, as flying has become so entwined with research and education.
Professor Stewart Barr (ACCESS Leadership team) from the University of Exeter will explore academic perspectives on how we can de-carbonise travel in higher education and practical efforts to change practices, systems and policies through applying the ACCESS Guiding Principles.
Register here
Discover how social science perspectives and methods can enhance Net Zero policy and communication strategies webinar
Wednesday 13 November from 2 to 3 pm, online
We would like to share details of ACCESS's involvement in a forthcoming Civil Servants Climate and Environment Network (CSCEN) online webinar. This is open to any civil or public servants just follow the link https://2ly.link/20lOK
Discover how social science perspectives and methods can enhance Net Zero policy and communication strategies. This event brings together leading researchers from the University of Exeter to present findings from two major research projects:
- ACCESS Net Zero Task Force – a group of 10 social scientists came together between April 2023 – March 2024 to determine the most effective policy levers to support Net Zero.
- Centre for Climate Information and Data Science (C3DS), in collaboration with the Grantham Institute and the University of Oxford, examined the coverage of net zero policy across major nationwide newspapers over four months in 2023, investigating the presence of inaccurate and misleading statements.
Featured Speakers: • Patrick Devine-Wright, Director of ACCESS Network • Karen Bickerstaff, Chair of ACCESS Net Zero Task Force • Sylvia Hayes, Research Fellow at C3DS
Effectiveness of interventions to reduce carbon emissions within secondary healthcare settings.
Tuesday 12 November, 2 to 3pm, online presentation
The Exeter Policy Research Programme Evidence Review Facility was independently commissioned to conduct a systematic review on the “Effectiveness of interventions to reduce carbon emissions within secondary healthcare settings” to inform the policy work of the Greener NHS team in NHS England.
You are invited to attend the meeting at which the review team will present the background and findings from this review and narrative synthesis, alongside the potential implications for future research, clinical practice and policy making. There will be a 20 minute presentation, including exploration of how the existing evidence may inform the patient care pathway as shown in an evidence and gap map, followed by an opportunity for questions.
Please contact Liz Shaw E.H.Shaw@exeter.ac.uk for joining instructions or would like further details.
Barriers and opportunities for reporting climate news seminar from the Centre of Climate and Data Science
Wednesday 17 November, 1.30 to 2.30 pm (hybrid)
Centre for Climate Communication and Data Science (C3DS) at the University of Exeter is hosting a climate comms seminar (hybrid) with Alan Strange, ex-editor of Digital & Climate Programming at Sky News. Please email c3ds@exeter.ac.uk to register for in-person or online attendance.
Older people and planetary health webinar
Wednesday 20 November, British Psychological Society, online
This webinar follows the publication of 'Clinical psychology and planetary health: Changing course in the storm', produced by a collaboration between the GTiCP's Planetary Health Subgroup, DCP Faculties and the BPS, highlighting the relevance and implications of the climate and ecological emergency across a range of specialities.
Energy & Complexity 2025: Towards a new complex-systems research agenda for a just energy transition conference
Wednesday 22 January 2025, University of Leeds
This free one-day conference will be on the topic of energy systems and complexity (complex systems) science, and will provide an opportunity to hear about the latest research and contribute to an updated research agenda for the field. The University of Leeds want to provide a platform for the intersection of these two research domains, which are increasingly significant but often overlooked.
Jobs
Research Associate/Fellow – Climate Change and Mental Health, University of Nottingham, School of Psychology
This position sits within a New Frontiers in Research Fund (NFRF) funded project titled: ‘Climate Mental Health Research Initiative: Urgently Accelerating Climate Mental Health & Equity through Global Networks’ (CMHRI).
The Research Fellow will support delivery of UK-led work packages within CMHRI which are investigating climate change and mental health among people of Black and South Asian heritage in the UK, and young people in West Africa.
Please feel free to contact charles.ogunbode@nottingham.ac.uk with any informal enquiries.
The closing date is Tuesday 26 November
Research Fellow at the University of Birmingham
The successful Research Fellow will be creating and contributing to social science knowledge by undertaking evidence review, qualitative and Community Based Participatory Research within a research project to understand and improve place-based climate adaptation.
The closing date for applications is Tuesday 26 November
Funded PhD opportunity at the University of East Anglia –Mapping public engagement with energy and climate change
This funded PhD project aims to further advance this research by developing a situated and citizen-centred approach to mapping public engagement with energy and climate change.
The closing date for applications is Wednesday 27 November
South East Doctoral Training Arc (SEDarc) studentship
The South East Doctoral Training Arc (SEDarc) Doctoral Training Partnership, funded by the ESRC, is a centre of excellence in social science postgraduate research training, and is in partnership between six UK universities. SEDarc are offering ESRC fully funded studentships at the University of Surrey.
The closing date for applications is Monday 20 January 2025
Training
Systematic Reviews of Mixed Methods Evidence CPD Course
Wednesday 22 and Thursday 23 January 2025, In person, Exeter
Join University of Exeter leaders with extensive experience of producing evidence-based synthesis and providing training for a range of policy customers including NICE, NHSE, DHSC, WHO, and UN's Green Climate Fund.
"The course has boosted my confidence in being able to critically appraise and to oversee mixed methods reviews with a refreshing and interesting dose of scientific methods along the way. Clear and accessible lectures delivered by engaging instructors who could provide first-hand knowledge of the challenges and strategies for mixed methods synthesis." Testimonial 2024 course participant
Nature, Health and Wellbeing CPD Course
Monday 17, Thursday 20, Monday 24, and Thursday 27 March, Online
Led by experts from the European Centre for Environment and Human Health at the University of Exeter, this course will explore how natural environments can benefit the physical and mental health of people. It will address the relationship between nature and health, and why this matters for the environment, public health and sustainability, as well as how you can apply this in your own practice. The course is for colleagues involved in sectors interested in natural environments and human health. This can include subject matter experts, non-governmental organisations, public health, local authorities and charities delivering nature-based activity programs.
An early bird rate is available until Tuesday 31 December
Opportunities
Register your interest: Environmental Governance, Principles and Biodiversity Targets
This Area of Research Interest is from the Welsh Parliament on Environmental Governance, Principles and Biodiversity Targets. They are seeking academic expertise with relevant research as the Climate Change, Environment and Infrastructure Committee will be scrutinising the forthcoming Environmental Governance, Principles and Biodiversity Targets Bill (the white paper here outlines the areas the bill is likely to cover).
Final Call to contribute to the World PhD Students and Postdoctoral Researchers Summit "Meeting the challenges of Climate Change 2024"
Wednesday 27 November, online
Organised by the International Climate Change Information and Research Programme, the Inter-University Sustainable Development Research Programme, and European Academic Network for Capacity Development in Climate Change Adaptations in Africa (NetCDA)
This summit recognises the vital role PhD students and postdoctoral researchers play in working on matters related to climate change, fostering innovation and addressing global challenges.
However, despite the synergies among research topics in climate change, many researchers work in isolation with limited opportunities for interaction and exchange. To bridge this gap, we are organising the third edition of the World Summit, themed "Meeting the challenges of Climate Change 2024”.The summit will feature a full-day programme with presentations from PhD students and postdoc researchers.
Interested persons should register by Friday 8 November
Registration form
PhD Placement in Welsh Government to look at the topic of Anti-racism in the sectors that cover Climate Change, Environmental Sustainability and Rural Affairs
The Welsh Government is seeking to appoint a three month PhD Placement on the topic of Anti-racism in the sectors that cover Climate Change, Environmental Sustainability and Rural Affairs Welsh Government PhD Placement: Student placement for Anti Racist Systematic Review – epwales.org.uk The student needs to be currently registered with an academic institution and will have the opportunity to work closely with the Strategic Evidence Unit here at Welsh Government and with Dr Salamatu Fada, who is currently placed with us from Bangor University as the Welsh Government Anti-Racist Wales Action Plan (ARWAP) Research Fellow.
The closing date is Thursday 14 November
Call for Climate Horizon 2040 Conference session proposals
Tuesday 4 February 2025
A call out for session proposals on Scotland’s climate research priorities and priority actions. With the next Climate Change Plan due to cover the period to 2040, Scotland is at a critical point for climate action to reach net zero and build climate resilience.
ClimateXChange, Scotland’s centre of expertise on climate change, is calling for session proposals to generate ideas and insights on emerging research and developments that can inform realistic and achievable climate policy in the 2030s and 2040s.
The closing date for submissions is noon on Monday 25 November
Academy of Social Science Fellowship nominations
The spring 2025 nominations round is now open, and the AcSS encourages nominations by Fellows and their member learned societies from the academic, public, private and third sectors.
The paramount requirements for successful nomination are evidence of eminence in their professional field and impact of the nominee’s contribution to wider social science beyond their 'day job'.
The deadline for nominations is Sunday 1 December 2024
Have your say
A survey of stakeholders' perceptions of UKRI has just been launched.
Started in April 2018, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is a non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT).
To achieve their ambition to create an outstanding research and innovation system for the UK, to which everyone can contribute and from which everyone benefits, it is important for UKRI to understand how they are perceived and understood by our various communities.
New Generation Thinkers 2025
This scheme offers five early career researchers the opportunity to be ‘researchers in residence’ where they will work with programme makers at BBC Radio 4 and produce a piece of writing to be recorded for radio.
If selected, you’ll also take part in learning and development opportunities with AHRC around working with the media, engaging the public with research and how to work with policy makers.
The closing date for applications is Tuesday 28 January
Funding
Overton's Policy Impact Grant 2024
Are you a researcher or professional staff member who studies the use of evidence in policy? Find out how to apply for Overton's micro grant.
Overton is again running a micro grant to support and recognise researchers and practitioners who are using policy data to expand our understanding of policy citation networks, new ways of assessing the outcomes of policy engagement by academics and knowledge brokers, and who are developing best practices for the responsible use of policy citation data.
The closing date for applications is Friday 6 December
British Academy Funding Call: Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Postdoctoral Fellowships for Overseas Researchers 2025
This scheme is for scholars in the UK who are at an early stage of their career and wish to conduct research in Japan for a period of 12-24 months.
The closing date is Wednesday 11 December 2024
European Research Council Consolidator Grant Webinar
Monday 2 December, 2 to 3.30 pm, online
The British Academy has organised the webinar for UK-based researchers in the humanities and social sciences interested in applying for European Research Council (ERC) grants. The webinar will focus on the ERC Consolidator Grants 2025 call, which opened on 26 September 2024 and has a closing date of 14 January 2025
f you would like to attend the webinar, please contact Barbora Krasova (b.krasova@thebritishacademy.ac.uk) by Friday 29 November 2024
Info
The Net Positive Centre for Health and Climate Solutions
A new Centre focused on delivering research on climate change and its impacts on health that will address climate-environment-health inequalities across each life stage is being created by the University of Exeter.
Together with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), the National Trust, Forest Research, the Met Office and other partner organisations, the £10m Centre for Net Positive Health and Climate Solutions is funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). The centre will focus on finding net positive solutions to the well-established negative impacts of the climate crisis and associated environmental changes in human health.
Biodiversity law that forces builders to compensate for nature loss could be twice as effective, experts claim
Recent rules that require all new building and road projects in England to address and offset their impact on nature are excellent in principle but flawed in their implementation, leading environmental economists argue. Under Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), which became law this year, new building or infrastructure developments must achieve a 10% net gain in biodiversity or habitat.
In a new study published in One Earth, experts criticise the implementation of the policy which forces the majority of off-setting to occur within or near development sites rather than where it might most benefit biodiversity.Targeting offsets to locations best for biodiversity was found to double the conservation gains, say the researchers, from the University of Exeter’s Land, Environment, Economics and Policy (LEEP) Institute.
Community healthy food interventions: Review of outcome metrics and toolkits – Cornwall Council and the WellFed Cornwall Network
One challenge facing health care professionals, local authorities, food growers, and charities or voluntary sector organisations that are trialling community food interventions is how to measure and evidence the outcomes. The aim of this review from the Centre for Climate Change and Social Transformations is to identify a range of evaluation metrics and toolkits that are used in community-based diet interventions, with a focus on health, climate, and community benefits.
IPSOS Net Zero Living 2024 report
IPSOS UK published a new report, IPSOS Net Zero Living 2024. The report explores public perceptions to net zero in the UK, providing valuable insights for policy makers seeking to understand and enhance public support for net zero policies.
Walking in policymakers’ shoes – Using role-play to foster better research/policy relations
Researchers and policymakers have long been seen as two communities, which although dealing with similar issues, have distinct institutional norms and bounded rationalities. Lucile Maertens, Audrey Alejandro and Zoé Cheli from the London School of Economics and Political Science suggest roleplay can be a useful tool in reducing these differences and creating more productive interactions between research and policy.
