News, Jobs, Events, Opportunities and lots more...
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A quick round up of this week's news, jobs and opportunities
News
ACCESS Annual Assembly 2025
This week, we hosted ACCESS's fourth Annual Assembly at the University of Exeter's beautiful Streatham Campus – and what a wonderful couple of days we had!
The sun shone and the conversation flowed, as 100 environmental social scientists from across academia, policy and the third sector came together for two days of thinking, connecting and network building.
Thanks to everyone – speakers, chairs, delegates (online and in person), organisers, and event staff – who helped to make the 2025 ACCESS Assembly such an incredible success!
We're looking forward to sharing the recordings of many of the excellent keynote sessions, showcases and workshops with you very soon.
'Listening, learning and acting on feedback to improve racial and ethnic representation at the ACCESS Annual Assembly'
After every Assembly, we gather and evaluate participant feedback so that we can continue to improve the event experience for everyone.
Leadership College Fellow Dr Jaya Gajparia has written a blogpost: 'Listening, learning and acting on feedback to improve racial and ethnic representation at the ACCESS Annual Assembly'.
In it, Jaya talks about her experience as a woman of colour working in environmental social science and about her new ACCESS role addressing EDI areas of concern within the project and diversifying this year’s Annual Assembly.
Read more
New ACCESS Report: Insights for the management of flexible funds
In recent years, UKRI, and its constituent research councils, have funded numerous initiatives that include flexible funding as part of their mandatory work programmes.
In managing these flexible funds, research investments find themselves having to act as funding bodies, governing and distributing resources effectively and fairly – yet many have limited experience in doing so.
In addition to scientific merit, many of these programmes aim to fund non-research activities such as knowledge exchange, and to embed specific principles – Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) is particularly common – adding further complexity to flexible fund management.
Our latest report provides insights from a mixed methods evaluation of Round 2 of the ACCESS Flex Fund. It aims to provide guidance and food for thought for other flexible fund managers and administrators, as well as funding institutions more generally.
In it, we:
- evaluate the performance of our fund from the diverse perspectives of fund managers, operations team members, reviewers and applicants;
- highlight findings, challenges, key learnings and insights; and
- present four key recommendations for effective flexible fund management.
Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) draws on evidence from ACCESS Leadership College Fellow Dr Pamela Buchan in its new report
The Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) has drawn on evidence from ACCESS Leadership College Fellow Dr Pamela Buchan (University of Exeter) in a new report urging the government to introduce a national framework for stakeholder participation in marine planning by January 2026.
The report warns that current systems allow limited opportunities for public input into marine planning and advocates for earlier and more meaningful involvement of underrepresented coastal communities and voices in decisions including offshore wind farms and marine-protected areas.
Pamela’s submission highlights the legal obligation to enable public participation under international agreements including the Aarhus Convention and UN Human Rights Council Resolution 48/13.
She writes: “Even for those most highly engaged marine citizens, there is little opportunity to be involved in UK marine governance…”
The Committee’s key recommendations include:
- A comprehensive stakeholder engagement framework by January 2026
- Clear leadership to coordinate public engagement across marine governance
- Investment in capacity and expertise to support inclusive participation
- Greater transparency around the impacts of marine decisions on coastal communities
What does walking mean to you? 🥾 🥾 ACCESS Blog Series
Five ACCESS Leadership College Fellows – Jaya Gajparia, Susann Power, Mandi Bissett, Helen Roberts, and Jennifer Rudd – have been considering how where they walk influences their work and how their work influences their walks.
They have each written a very personal blog sharing their own perspectives and experiences of walking and working in nature.
Last week's post was from Susann Power. In it, she explores her relationship with the beach, which she describes as “a liminal space between hope and despair”. She talks about beach litter, caring for our coastline, and the evolution of beach cleaning into ‘Enviro-Leisure Activism’.
This week's post is from Mandi Bissett. Mandi describes how the Southampton Climate Action Network has been “introducing the city to the concept of Doughnut Economics” and asks why it seems to be mostly women on the frontline of climate action.
Events
Opportunities and challenges for climate communication in Africa
Friday 27 June, 2-3.30pm, University of Exeter & online
The seminar will be given by the 2025 C3DS Visiting Fellows: Ashley Lime, Daniel Oladoja, Ruth Owino and Shitemi Khamadi.
C3DS (Centre for Climate Communication and Data Science) is
delighted to be hosting four Visiting Fellows at the University of Exeter during June-July 2025. The purpose of these Visiting Fellowships is to support collaboration and knowledge exchange between Global South researchers who are working with data science or AI to improve climate communication, with the team at C3DS and our wider network of colleagues and collaborators.
All are welcome to this seminar, which will focus on the challenges and opportunities for climate communication in Africa, drawing on the knowledge and experience of the C3DS Visiting Fellows.
The session will feature four short presentations, one from each of the Visiting Fellows, before opening up to a panel discussion.
The seminar will be chaired by the C3DS Co-Directors Travis Coan (in-person at the University of Exeter) and Saffron O’Neill (online).
Please email c3ds@exeter.ac.uk to register for in person or online attendance.
Book launch: Tails and roots: A creative exploration of biodiversity in research
Wednesday 2 July, 12.30-1.30pm, University of Exeter
Discover stories from biodiversity research happening across the University of Exeter and celebrate the launch of the Tails and Roots book.
This storybook (beautifully illustrated by Katharine Howell) captures the biodiversity research happening across the University of Exeter.
The project is led by Francesca Boyd and supported by Jack Reed and Aoife Maher (University of Exeter).
Meet others doing research from across disciplines and departments as the authors share their experience, inspiration and a short nature connection activity.
Email Jack Reed for more information: J.Reed2@exeter.ac.uk
Insights Wales: Welsh public opinion on Net Zero and Climate Policy – ACCESS Net Zero Taskforce
Wednesday 23 July, 1.30-2.30pm, online
In this webinar, hosted by Environment Platform Wales (EPW), ACCESS's Patrick Devine-Wright, Alice Moseley and Jenny Hatchard will share insights from the ACCESS Net Zero Citizens'
Survey undertaken in Summer 2024.
This presentation will focus on Welsh support for Net Zero targets and views about the likelihood of achieving these, as well as opinions on fairness, bias and public and stakeholder involvement in policy – and will consider how Welsh views and opinions compare to other parts of the UK.
Funding
British Academy International Interdisciplinary Research programme
The British Academy is inviting proposals for the next round of its International Interdisciplinary Research programme. Projects will be led by UK-based researchers in the humanities and social sciences working with international partners and wishing to develop genuinely interdisciplinary projects that range across all SHAPE and STEM disciplines on the theme of Transnational and Planetary challenges.
The total funding available per award in this call is up to £300,000 over 2 years. Within that limit of £300,000 over 2 years the award is offered at 80% FEC (i.e. the total contribution requested from the Academy may not exceed £300,000 and the total project value at 100% FEC may not exceed £375,000).
Projects must begin in March/April 2026.
Deadline 17 September, 5pm
Jobs
Lecturer in Environmental Geography, Birkbeck, University of London
As Lecturer in Environmental Geography, you will be teaching across undergraduate and postgraduate courses – with a particular focus on environmental science, environmental management, environmental policy and physical geography modules and field teaching.
You will also contribute to shaping the new curriculum and vibrant research culture and environment, which includes the Birkbeck Research Centre for Environment and Sustainability.
Deadline: 30 June
2 Psychology PhD Opportunities, The Consumer Decision and Sustainable Behavior Lab, University of Geneva
The Consumer Decision and Sustainable Behavior Lab at the University of Geneva, led by Prof. Dr. Tobias Brosch, is looking to fill two 4-year PhD positions for the project:
Understanding and promoting public biodiversity valuation and engagement
The aims of the project are (i) to better understand the psychological and contextual factors influencing biodiversity valuation and engagement in Switzerland, and (ii) to develop and implement evidence-based strategies to promote public engagement and policy support for biodiversity.
The PhD students will work on selected parts of the overall project, depending on their interests and competences. The project involves regular interactions with stakeholders inside and outside academia, including project partners and the wider public.
Applicants need to have an excellent two-year master’s degree in psychology as well as excellent methodological and statistical skills. Moreover, very good oral and written skills in English are required. A good knowledge of French or the commitment to learn French quickly are crucial to ensure interactions with project stakeholders. The successful applicants need to be ready to move to Geneva and should be firmly dedicated to pursuing a scientific career.
Deadline 14 August
For more information, email Dr Tobias Brosch: tobias.brosch@unige.ch
UK Parliaments Internship Opportunity for PhD Students
UK Parliament has launched their new set of fellowships through the Policy Internships scheme, funded by UKRI. The scheme provides the opportunity for doctoral students funded by the research councils of UKRI to work for three months within a host policy organisation, such as UK Parliament. Applicants specify their preferred host organisation when they apply for the internship.
In UK Parliament there are multiple internship opportunities available. Applicants can work within:
- POST (the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology)
- a select committee
- the House of Commons or House of Lords Libraries
An online information session about the UK Parliament based internships will be held on Thursday 3 July. Email post@parliament.uk if you wish to
attend.
All internships will take place during 2026. The precise start date will be agreed with each successful applicant and their supervisor.
Deadline: Monday 8 September
Opportunities
Call for abstracts: Livable Cities – Sustainability & Resilience Conference
17-19 June 2026, University of Salford
This conference is interested in diverse readings of the places we inhabit: their design, management, planning, social policies and cultural trends. As such, it is not only international in its outlook, but explicitly interdisciplinary.
It also uses its host city, Manchester, as an example of the issues at play. A quintessential post-industrial city, it is the birth place of the industrial revolution. One of the UK’s most important historic locations, it is a gateway to the north of England and its iconic country estates and landscapes. However, its industrial past means it has a legacy of pollution and its brownfield sites remain contentious places for contemporary development. Its local government embraces sustainability targets of multiple types yet it remains, as with cities across the UK, a car centric city.
Typifying the contradictions and issues that will be discussed at the conference, the host city is an ideal location for to examine the sustainability, resilience and related ‘livability’ of cities the world over.
Deadline: 30 June
Call for abstracts: Special Feature on 'Digital Dimensions of Nature Recovery'
This special issue for People & Nature (British Ecological Society) on Digital Dimensions of Nature Recovery, builds on a conference in November 2024, which brought together interdisciplinary perspectives on how digital tools are reshaping the relationships between people and nature – transcending academia, policy, and practice.
The editors are now inviting new abstract submissions to expand the feature beyond the original contributors. They are particularly interested in interdisciplinary, applied papers from international contexts.
The special issue will explore how technologies like AI, remote sensing, spatial modelling, eDNA, and digital platforms are transforming conservation, restoration, and environmental governance – raising questions around inclusion, equity, knowledge politics, and more-than-human perspectives.
The editors welcome empirical and conceptual papers from across the natural and social sciences. Article types include:
- Research & review papers (up to 8,000 words)
- Perspectives (up to 3,500 words)
Deadline for abstracts: 30 June
For more information, email: caitlin.hafferty@ouce.ox.ac.uk
GW4 peer support programme for Global Majority postgraduate researchers
Are you a postgraduate researcher at a GW4 (Great Western Four) university from the Global Majority?
GW4 has now launched the 2nd GW4 Connect programme for Global Majority postgraduate researchers. The programme will offer cross-institutional peer support designed to recognise your unique experiences.
The 10-month scheme builds on the pilot programme by providing both opportunities to develop your research skills and identity, as well as explore how that may intersect with your lived experience as Global Majority postgraduate researchers.
The programme has been co-designed and will be co-facilitated by Kemi Oladapo, who specialises in coaching diverse communities in universities and healthcare, and Kate Tapper, a senior coaching practitioner and facilitator with longstanding experience in higher education.
Participants will have the opportunity to engage with peers and have open conversations about race and racism, research culture and academia, outside of institutional structures.
The programme will start in September 2025
Deadline: Wednesday 9 July
Defra: Call for Evidence on expanding the role of the private sector in nature recovery
Defra is currently seeking evidence to help identify policies to:
Increase business investment in protecting and improving the natural environment in England.
- Secure economic benefits from a healthy natural environment and innovation in environmental protection.
- Identify and manage risks for businesses, communities, or consumers from increased nature investment.
Deadline: 7 August, 11.59pm
Info
Melting Metropolis Project
Melting Metropolis brings together a team of scholars, a community engagement manager, and a research artist to understand better the past and present of urban heat and health.
With a focus on sensory, community, and cultural experiences in postwar London, New York, and Paris, this Wellcome-funded project investigates how city dwellers have experienced heat and sought to mitigate its impact on their health and well-being.
The project aims to move beyond the widespread focus on “climate resilience” to uncover the multiple responses to urban heat and health during an era of climate breakdown.
How can we improve equity and diversity in research funding allocations?
Despite increased transparency and attention to equity in research funding, recent UKRI data shows significant gender disparities remain. In 2021-22, more men applied for funding and received higher median awards than women. However, female fellowship applicants had a higher award rate across all research councils.
So, how do we go about continuing to level the playing field, and generate a more equitable research funding landscape?
This blog from C-DICE (The Centre for Postdoctoral Development in Infrastructure, Cities and Energy) highlights some areas where funders and recruiters can take a proactive approach, to the benefit of all applicants.
New report | Paws for Thought: towards environmentally friendly dog walking in the UK
“Traffic light” dog-walking zones in the UK can benefit people, dogs and the environment, according to a new report from the RENEW project.
The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) funded ‘Renewing biodiversity through a people-in-nature approach’ (RENEW) project is a collaboration between the University of Exeter and the National Trust.
The authors recommend an evidence-based approach towards managing the impacts of dog walking, with emphasis on achieving health equity for people, dogs, wildlife and the environment.
UKERC Responsive Research Topic Consultation – Summary
This document summarises the discussions at the first UKERC (UK Energy Research Council) Responsive Research consultation event and makes conclusions on the most popular topics for future consideration.
It presents the topic selection criteria and a list of prospective topics.
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.
Share your news
Thank you to all the contributors who sent items in for this week's newsletter.
Do get in touch if you have any events, job or funding opportunities or new research that you would like to share with the ACCESS Network.
And if you have any feedback on the newsletter, we'd love to hear it.
Email me (Suzy) at: s.p.a.darke@exeter.ac.uk
