News, Jobs, Events, Opportunities and lots more...
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A quick round up of this week's news, jobs and opportunities
News
Thanks to everyone who has sent in news, events and opportunities to share in today's newsletter.
If you have anything you'd like to share with the ACCESS Network, I'd love to hear from you. You can reply to this email or reach me (Suzy) at: s.p.a.darke@exeter.ac.uk
ACCESS Nature Recovery Task Force meet in Devon
The ACCESS Nature Recovery Task Force held an in-person meeting in Devon this week.
Members of the task force spent two days together, sharing progress on their individual case studies, drawing out key findings from the task force as a whole and preparing for the final phase of the task force's work.
Thanks to Clinton Devon Estates for kindly hosting the task-force meetings and to Sam Bridgewater (Head of Wildlife and Conservation, Clinton Devon Estates) and Kim Strawbridge (Reserves Manager for the East Devon Pebblebed Heaths Conservation Trust (EDPHCT)) for their inspiring tour of the Lower Otter Restoration Project (pictured below).
ACCESS and Regen submit joint response to DESNZ consultation
ACCESS Director Patrick Devine-Wright (University of Exeter) and Rebecca Windemer, Planning Lead at Regen and ACCESS Leadership College Fellow recently submitted a joint response to the DESNZ consultation on bill discounts for transmission network infrastructure.
In it, they make the following key recommendations:
- Base spatial boundaries for community benefits on visual impacts and topography, rather than on a fixed distance from transmission infrastructure
- Ensure the opt-in process is widely accessible and fair
- Publicise transparent justification for the proposed approach
Events
Ask the Experts: Global climate equality – is a fair future possible?
Thursday 23 October 6.30-7.45pm, British Academy, London & online
Can global climate goals ever become global climate action? Join this powerful conversation with leading thinkers from the humanities and social sciences who will answer your questions about the state of global climate politics.
Together, we will unpack the systemic roots of climate inequality, assess where we are now, and explore what it will truly take to build a fairer, more sustainable future — in a world shaped by power imbalances, economic inequalities and geopolitical uncertainties.
Speakers at this free event include Jaya Gajparia (ACCESS Leadership College Fellow), Giovanna Frisso (University of Lincoln) and Chukwumerije Okereke (University of Bristol), and it is chaired by Sarah Birch FBA (Kings College London).
This event is part of the British Academy's Living with the Planet season, which is running from September to December 2025. The programme has been shaped by season advisors Melissa Leach FBA and Jaya Gajparia.
African Dialogues 1.0 – Re-thinking African and Black History: Natural resources & law
Friday 24 October 2.30-3.30pm, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall & online
In celebration of Black History Month, this focused lecture is part of the "African Dialogues 1.0", a three-part UK academic and cultural symposium in Exeter, London and Penryn, organised by Madeline R. Young-Touré in partnership with the "Black Dialogues 2.0" Netherlands events supported by the seed grant from University of Amsterdam’s Decolonial Futures RPA.
The UK-EU series collaborates with the University of Exeter, SOAS University of London, Utrecht University, University of Amsterdam, University College London (UCL) and the British Museum. It explores decolonial approaches to African and Black material cultures, embodied heritages, natural resources, law, and extractive legacies shaped by Africa–Europe entanglements.
Speakers are Madeline R. Young-Touré (University of Exeter and University College London), whose work explores African extractivism and embodied heritage and Chitzi Ogbumgbada (University of Exeter), whose work on energy justice and environmental law addresses extractivism, climate ethics, and African communitarian approaches to global energy transitions.
Email to register: esidirector@exeter.ac.uk
Webinar – Delivering on Decline: The Comparative Political Economy of Fossil Fuel Production Cuts
Friday 31 October, 1pm, online
Peter Newell (University of Sussex) will present his work on "Delivering on Decline: The Comparative Political Economy of Fossil Fuel Production Cuts"
He will be joined by co-authors Daniela Soto Hernandez, Lukas Slothuus, and Freddie Daley (University of Sussex) who will provide additional inputs during the talk and Q&A.
This is part of the Online Seminar Series of the ECPR (The European Consortium for Political Research) Energy Politics, Policy and Governance Standing Group.
Jobs
Climate Change and Biodiversity Manager, Derbyshire Dales District Council
Derbyshire Dales District Council is seeking a Climate Change and Biodiversity Manager to support its journey to being a net zero organisation by 2030.
The Council is committed to enhancing the biodiversity of the district through its Nature Delivery Plan and the post holder will lead the delivery of this plan, seeking opportunities for funding and collaborative working.
They are looking for a highly motivated candidate with track record of delivering key projects and a passion for the environment, who can successfully engage with the Council, partners, businesses, residents and the wider community to influence positive action.
Deadline: Friday 31 October, 11pm
Postdoctoral Impact Associate, Governing Sustainable Futures project, University of Exeter
This new full-time post for the Governing Sustainable Futures project is anticipated to start on the 1st February 2026 (or as soon as possible thereafter) on a fixed term basic to the 30th September 2028.
The Postdoctoral Impact Associate will be a key player in realising the ambitions of our project in terms of successful partner engagement, along with developing and translating findings from the project. The post holder will play an important role in co-producing outputs that seek to drive positive change towards sustainable transitions.
You will be working at the forefront of innovation in developing engagement and participatory mechanisms, collaborating with a diverse network of experts to influence local and national governments, campaign and community groups as the project investigates approaches towards sustainability contestations.
Applicants will possess a good honours degree and PhD/ higher degree (or equivalent professional experience) in a Human Geography, Political Science or a cognate social science discipline or relevant experience. The successful applicant will have a personal track record in carrying out, effective knowledge exchange and / or participatory activities with evidence of Impact generation.
Deadline: Wednesday 5 November
Darwin-Hamied 5-year Senior Research Fellowship (stipendiary) in the Social Science of Biodiversity, Christ's College Cambridge
This stipendiary Senior Research Fellowship in the Social Science of Biodiversity is tenable for 5 years (potentially renewable) commencing between January 1 and October 1, 2026, upon mutual agreement.
The newly established Darwin-Hamied Centre is inviting applications from suitably qualified candidates with a focus on the social sciences, especially nature-based economics and demography, and their interface with biodiversity conservation.
The successful applicant will have a PhD in a cognate subject (e.g., Economics, Conservation Science, Demography, Sociology, Geography, Statistics) by the time of taking up the post.
Previous postdoctoral experience is desirable, though they also welcome applications from non-traditional academic backgrounds, including those working on policy at NGOs, multinational organisations, or in government. The candidate will have a proven record of internationally recognised research addressing the social science of biodiversity conservation, evidenced by a strong publication record, participation in international conferences and seminars, and work on innovative research projects.
Deadline: Friday 7 November, 11.59pm
Global Talent Fund research positions, University of Bath
Funded by the UK Department of Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), and awarded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), the £54 million Global Talent Fund has been designed to enable research universities to rapidly recruit and embed teams of international researchers by covering both their relocation and research costs.
The University of Bath has been awarded a £4.35 million share of the fund. Grants start in the 2025/26 academic year and will run for five years.
With this funding, they plan to recruit up to 15 ambitious, international researchers in four research areas, including clean-energy industries and professional and business services.
Research Fellowship in Just Transitions, University of Stirling
The fellow will take a leading role in the delivery of the Clackmannanshire and Aberdeen case studies.
In Clackmannanshire, the case explores the design and delivery of a suite of potential projects, including community led energy generation, local heat networks, and the retrofit of domestic and community properties to improve social outcomes, health, and employment, working closely in partnership with Clackmannanshire Council.
In Aberdeen, the case centres on the delivery of improved housing infrastructure (retrofitting) to address fuel poverty and improve health outcomes and will partner with local organisations including NESFIT (NE Scotland Retrofitting Hub), Transition Catalyst and NESCAN (NE Scotland Climate Action Network).
While this is primarily a social science role, they are seeking a candidate who has interest and capability in interdisciplinary research and can undertake dialogue and research activity across disciplines such as geography, policy, energy systems and engineering, humanities and sociology.
Deadline: Sunday 9 November
Research Associate/Fellowship, University of Nottingham
Highly motivated post-doctoral researcher sought to work on the data searching, processing, management, and qualitative analysis of data sources related to forced labour risk and decent work assessment of the food system.
The purpose of this role will be to support the principal investigator to conduct research related to the Nottingham Research Fellowship project: Decent work and climate change risks in the UK Food Supply.
The post holder will be expected to undertake independent research as well as working as part of a team. The role will include:
- Searching, screening, managing and qualitative coding of data sources for analysis.
- Writing up of findings for contribution to academic publication.
- Collaborative work across the University of Nottingham and with international colleagues.
- Developing new qualitative coding and assessment frameworks.
This full time, fixed term contract is available from December 2025.
Deadline: Monday 10 November
Berlin Program Postdoctoral Fellowships, Freie Universität, Berlin
The Berlin Program offers up to one year of postdoctoral research support at the Freie Universität Berlin. It is open to scholars in all social science and humanities disciplines.
Fellowships for postdoctoral research are for 10 to 12 months and support recent postdocs, i.e. applicants who have received their doctorates in the last two calendar years or who are in the process of receiving their Ph.D. from a university outside Germany by the time the proposed research in Berlin begins.
Deadline: Monday 1 December
PhD studentships
Fully funded PhD Studentship in Global Sustainable Development, University of Warwick
Lived Experiences and Perceptions of Heat of Children in Accra
University of Warwick are seeking a PhD student to conduct an in-depth investigation of children's and their carers' lived experiences and perceptions of heat in schools in Accra, Ghana.
The research will analyse the socio-cultural, institutional and governance contexts shaping responses to heat and study emerging adaptation practices in unconventional knowledge settings, against the background of mental health and cognitive behaviour results from the wider project. The student will have the opportunity to shape the project to align with their interests and expertise.
This PhD is part of a major international project, “Co-producing knowledge on neighbourhood heat and its impacts on child mental health and cognition,” funded by the Canadian Institute for Health Research (CIHR). The project investigates the mental health and cognitive impacts of exposure to heat in primary school-age children in Accra, Ghana.
Deadline: Tuesday 28 October
Fully Funded PhD Studentship in the ESRC Welsh Graduate School of Social Sciences (WGSSS) Environmental Planning Pathway, Swansea University
This interdisciplinary PhD training pathway bridges social and natural environmental sciences. It focusses on key environmental challenges, and their manifestation in Wales, the UK and globally, reflecting current policy challenges for Welsh and UK governments in the environmental sector.
Major concerns include but are not limited to: impacts and management of climate change; local and regional environmental quality; conservation management; and post-Brexit environmental legislation.
Training is provided through a coordinated programme of standalone and residential modules in quantitative and qualitative social science methods, and science communication and a cohort-building postgraduate conference with participation from across the pathway.
Deadline: Thursday 11 December
Opportunities
Open Call for candidates to serve on the United Nations Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence
The United Nations Secretary-General has launched an open call for candidates to serve on the Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence (“the Panel”), established by the General Assembly through its resolution 79/325.
The Panel will comprise 40 members, serving in their personal capacity for a three-year term beginning in 2026, and will play a key role in advancing global, evidence-based understanding of artificial intelligence (AI). This is a non-remunerated position.
Deadline: Friday 31 October, 3:59pm
Shared Green Societies – Early Career Researchers Awards
The Shared Green Societies - Research Awards celebrate PhD Researchers and Early Career Researchers (ECRs) in the Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) whose work contributes to Europe’s green transition.
Coordinated by Anglia Ruskin University, Fraunhofer ISI, and ICS-ULisboa, the awards highlight innovative approaches at the intersection of sustainability, society, and policy.
Applicants must be PhD candidates or ECRs based in Europe and focusing on European challenges, utilising SSH perspectives on one or more of the eight European Green Deal policy areas. ECRs are defined as those who have not led projects exceeding €100,000. Applicants cannot have worked on the SHARED GREEN DEAL project.
Winners will receive €500 and an expenses-paid trip to Brussels for the Shared Green Societies Forum launch in January 2026.
Deadline: Wednesday 12 November, 11.59pm
Call for submissions: 29th International Association for People-Environment Studies (IAPS) Conference
Monday 29 June – Friday 3 July 2026, University of Surrey
IAPS 2026 welcomes submissions for individual oral presentations; individual poster presentations; symposia sessions of 4-5 speakers; and panel discussions.
They invite submissions from all areas of people-environment studies. In line with the IAPS 2026 theme of Sustainability as Wellbeing, they especially welcome submissions that include or focus on:
- One Health; planetary wellbeing; impacts on both people and environment
- Use of varied and/or innovative research methods
- Critical research approaches; environmental justice; equity, diversity, and inclusion
- Engagement with diverse actors and knowledge-holders
Deadline for submissions: Friday 9 January, 11:59pm
Read more
Training
Systematic Reviews of Mixed Methods Evidence CPD Course
Wednesday 28 & Thursday 29 January, Exeter
In addition to understanding “what works”, policy makers and practitioners often need to understand how something works, the feasibility and acceptability of an intervention, how best to implement it or whether there are unintended consequences. They may also want to understand how people value particular outcomes, or why differences in impact are seen.
Qualitative evidence can often speak to these issues. Bringing together the insights from both quantitative and qualitative evidence can enhance the completeness, relevance or interpretation of the evidence base.
Through a mix of lectures, hands-on exercises, small group work and plenary discussion you will learn:
- Approaches, tools and methodologies for mixed methods systematic reviews and syntheses.
- When mixed methods design might be appropriate.
- How to formulate mixed methods review questions.
- Approaches to searching, study selection, data extraction and critical appraisal.
AHRC Engaging with Government course 2026
Tuesday 3 – Thursday 5 March, The Institute for Government, London
This free course from AHRC (Arts and Humanities Research Council) will support academics with learning about the policy processes and the role of research.
This includes developing influencing and communication skills to help you make the most of opportunities where your research could make a valuable contribution to public policy.
Deadline for applications: Thursday 30 October
International Summer School in Affective Sciences (ISSAS 2026): Emotions and Sustainability
Tuesday 30 June – Sunday 7 July, Chateau de Bossey, Switzerland
The 2026 edition of ISSAS, organised by the Swiss Center for Affective Sciences (CISA), will be dedicated to exploring how emotions shape and are shaped by the current environmental crises, and how they intersect with environmental action at the individual and at the systemic level.
The topic will be addressed in a highly interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary manner, with plenary lectures by internationally renowned scholars from psychology, philosophy, communication sciences, political science, and innovation studies.
In addition, the summer school will leverage the strong existing collaboration between the CISA and the UN Geneva. A number of workshops will be organized jointly with the UN Beyond Lab to explore how insights from the affective sciences can be implemented in concrete sustainability problems, and we will have the opportunity to visit the UN premises in Geneva. Finally, students will work on hands-on student group projects that will be presented at the end of the summer school.
Info
Why we need more Jane Goodalls
"What made Jane extraordinary was not just her science, but her voice. She forged a path in that very grey area between high-level science, political discourse and public engagement. She was plain-speaking and never lacked integrity. She was a calm and trusted voice in a clamouring crowd of increasingly lying politicians and clickbait influencers. Jane brought science, conservation and advocacy to the millions."
So writes Ben Garrod (University of East Anglia) forThe Conversation.
Following the death of Jane Goodall earlier this month, Garrod reflects on her life, work, and impact – particularly her ability to make science accessible to everyone.
"If we had even a few more voices like Jane’s, perhaps there wouldn’t be such a disconnect between science and society," he writes.
Transformative journalisms and the seductive power of imagery in digital climate niche journalism
Recent debates around “transformative journalisms” in climate journalism present emerging ways to renegotiate the traditional norm of journalistic objectivity by blurring the boundaries between science, advocacy, and journalism.
This article by Sylvia Hayes (University of Exeter) and Saffron O'Neill (ACCESS Co-Director, University of Exeter) for OnlineFirst, draws similarity between the seductive powers of journalistic objectivity and of naturalism in news photography, exploring the ways these collide and interact when brought together in the context of image selection and engagement at one niche climate journalism organisation.
The authors highlight the contradictory and complex assumptions within both climate journalism’s and news photography’s commitment to versions of objectivity, and argue that transformative journalisms provides a useful concept to understand the plurality, fluidity, and transgression which is often already present at climate-specific journalistic organisations.
Beyond the Data: Navigating Privilege, Pain and Responsibility in Fieldwork
Choeying Seldon has spent over a year researching the lives of low-income migrants in Thimphu, Bhutan, as part of the Successful Intervention Pathways for Migration as Adaptation (SUCCESS) project, exploring the intersections between climate change and migration across South Asia.
In this blog, written for CLAPs (Climate change Local Adaptation Pathways) and edited by Sofia Juliet Rajan, Shoeying remembers the stories that have stayed with her and the emotions they stirred up.
"Sometimes, it becomes all too easy to reduce people to data points, to fit their lives into neatly labeled boxes on a checklist," she writes.
"Beyond the data points and academic outputs, there were real lives shared with vulnerability, courage, and trust... It reminds me that no matter how rigorously we document, analyse, or write, we will never fully capture the entirety of a person’s life. And maybe we are not meant to. Maybe that is where the humanity of this work lies—in the humility of knowing that our respondents are more than what can be transcribed, coded, or cited."
"World's first fully upcycled skyscraper" finalist for 2025 Earthshot Prize
An upcycled Sydney skyscraper is one of three finalists in the 'Build a Waste-Free World' category of the Earthshot Prize.
Originally completed in 1976 as the AMP Center, Quay Quarter Tower was refurbished in 2022 by Danish architecture studio 3XN and Australian studio BVN.
The retrofit of the skyscraper's angular glass form was praised by the awarding body for its commercially viable and scalable solution to decarbonising the built environment.
3XN and BVN saved more than 12,000 tonnes of embodied carbon, retaining 65 per cent of the skyscraper's original structure and 95 per cent of its core.
"The demolition cycle is one of the greatest threats to our global climate goals," partner at 3XN Fred Holt told dezeen magazine.
"We hope that our approach can help redefine urban development, offering a blueprint to meet low-carbon ambitions as our cities worldwide continue to grow."
Click the image above to watch a time-lapse film of the reconstruction.
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.
