News, Jobs, Events, Opportunities and lots more...
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Quick round up of this week's news, jobs and events
News
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 become one of our most visited web pages. a useful resource for people looking to collaborate and connect with environmental social scientists.
It only takes 20 to 30 minutes to complete the online form.
Communicate: New Connections for Nature - You are all invited!
Monday 26 November, Manchester, Tuesday 27 November, London and Friday 28 November, Bristol
ACCESS will be there as part of The Natural History Consortium partnership with the Economic and Social Research Council showcasing cutting-edge environmental social science.
Look out for College Leadership College Fellows Sarah Bell discussing disability-inclusive nature engagement and Jaya Gajparia talking about decolonising conservation and environmental sectors in the UK using a social justice framework. Sarah Payne & Birgitta Gatersleben will be looking at the power of nature through sound.
Read more
How will Fashion reduce it's impact on Nature and Regenerate Biodiversity?
Thursday 12 September, 1 to 3pm Online
Great to see Patrick Elf's ACCESS Flex Fund project's findings will be included in this fashion industry event in London. Join and share this opportunity to discuss how the fashion industry must change to decarbonise and promote biodiversity, social justice, and gender equality. The online event will also include the launch of Regenerative Fashion Futures – Towards a Just Transition’ Report and Film.
Events & Training
Resourcing Impact: Exploring opportunities, gaps, and strategies for sustaining impact initiatives in Africa
Thursday 29 and Friday 30 August, Hybrid, FREE
The Sustaining Impact Summit (SIS) is an annual event aimed at promoting the sustenance of impact and impact-focused organisations in Africa. Conceived and directed by CUSP researcher Dr Adeyemi Adelekan, SIS brings together social enterprises and NGOs, alongside industry experts, policymakers, and representatives from local and international development organisations to explore how impact-focused organisations can sustainably resource their impact-related work, particularly in cases of limited or no external support.
Unmasking Propaganda: The Role of Brazil's Political Narratives in Weakening Environmental Protections
Thursday 26 September 1 to 2pm, online
The Centre for Climate Communication and Data Science (C3DS) would like to invite you to a webinar by Lori Regattieri, Consultant on Just and Sustainable Technologies, Eco-Media Platform entitled ‘Unmasking Propaganda: The Role of Brazil's Political Narratives in Weakening Environmental Protections’.
Please register by emailing c3ds@exeter.ac.uk.
Jobs
Green social prescribing RCT research fellow
The University of Exeter is looking for a Research Fellow to support a pilot randomised control trial and process evaluation of a nature-based intervention for people with mental ill health.
The closing date for applications is Monday 19 August
Lecturer in Sustainability at the University of Surrey
The appointed Lecturer in Sustainability will play a key role in the provision of the online MSc Sustainable Development in Practice through Surrey Online Learning (SOL) and the support of online delivery of sustainability training programmes by the Institute for Sustainability (IfS).
The closing date for applications is Tuesday 27 August
Associate Director - Environment, Energy Security & Nature
The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) is looking to recruit a new Associate Director with responsibility for IPPR’s work on environment, energy security and nature and jointly lead the wider economy and environment team.
The closing date for applications is Monday 26 August
Social Scientist at Forest Research (Maternity leave)
The post holder will contribute to improving understanding of the values, attitudes, and behaviours of land managers and a range of publics and stakeholders. As well as, assessing the impact and outcomes of policies, projects and actions related to forest and woodland management.
The closing date for applications is Sunday 11 August
Senior Social Scientist at Forest Research
The post holder will undertake research across Society and Environment Research Group (SERG) but will have a particular emphasis on the forest disturbances theme, which includes consideration of the social dimensions of storms, floods and wildfires as well as tree health.
The closing date for applications is Sunday 25 August
Funding
Organisation for Economic Co-operation & Development (OECD) Co-operative Research Programme Call for Event Sponsorship and Fellowship Awards in 2025
This a reminder of the approaching deadline for applications to the OECD’s Cooperative Research Programme (CRP) call for international event sponsorship and research fellowship grants to be funded in 2025.
The UK is amongst 30 OECD countries participating in the Cooperative Research Programme on Sustainable Agricultural and Food Systems. The CRP supports research collaboration related to the sustainable use of natural resources in agriculture, food, forestry and fisheries. Applications should fit in to one of the following three research themes, full details of which can be found in the CRP’s research theme document
The closing date for applications is Tuesday 10 September 2024 (midnight, Paris time, CET)
Decarbonising the health and social care system
The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) are interested in building research capacity and generating high-quality research evidence into developing and evaluating innovations focused on decarbonisation of the health and social care system.
From November 2024 they will be welcoming applications for both:
- new primary research studies to establish the effectiveness of new, promising, or existing interventions, and
- evidence synthesis to support the translation of effective interventions into policy and practice.
A series of webinars and workshops will be taking place to support anyone interested in applying and to encourage groups to connect and collaborate creatively. The first one is on Friday 16 August.
Opportunities
Climate Connect: Bridging Science and Action in the IPCC
Tuesday 24 September 24 from 10am to 2pm, London Conference Centre
"Climate Connect: Bridging Science and Action in the IPCC" will provide a platform for the UK expert community to share ideas, knowledge, and experiences on how the Seventh Assessment Cycle can deliver timely and policy-relevant information that informs global ambition and climate action across all sectors of society. It will also provide information on ways in which the UK research community can get involved. This is an excellent opportunity for early career stage climate researchers to find out more about how you can contribute to the IPCC's world-leading climate reports, and for experienced IPCC contributors to share lessons learned from AR6.
Alongside involvement from the IPCC Chair Jim Skea and senior DESNZ officials, we will have panel discussions with experienced IPCC authors, collaborative workshops to discuss key issues for AR7, and a complimentary networking lunch. If you are not able to attend in-person, you are welcome to participate online.
If you are interested please email ipccauthorsupportuk@energysecurity.gov.uk
Scottish Parliament Call for Views on upcoming Climate Bill
The Scottish Parliament Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee has issued a call for views in anticipation that a Climate Bill will be lodged in the Scottish Parliament soon after recess.
The Scottish Government has indicated that it plans to expedite the Bill through the Parliament and the Committee has therefore agreed to carry out pre-legislative scrutiny and have issued a call for views to stakeholders. The call focuses on:
- The introduction of a 5-year carbon budget approach in place of annual targets
- The timing and legislative framework associated with producing Climate Change Plans
- Requirements for monitoring and reporting against progress.
The call for views also invites responses on how the Scottish Budget can support achievement of Scotland’s net zero targets and the inclusion, and presentation, of a Climate Change Assessment of the Budget.
Responses from academics with expertise in any of these areas would be very welcome and those responding are welcome to pick and choose which questions they respond to.
Responses can be made using the submission form available via the call for views on the Scottish Parliament website and the deadline is Friday 16 August.
Join a new Northern Ireland High-Level Science Advisory Group
The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) welcomes applications from a range of scientific backgrounds interested in joining its new High-Level Science Advisory Group, to provide expert independent science advice and challenge across DAERA’s full remit.
The HLSAG is a new expert science advisory Group which will deliver independent, high-level, cross cutting, strategic advice and proportionate challenge to DAERA’s Chief Scientific Adviser (CSA) to help assure the scientific evidence used in DAERA’s policy development and delivery is relevant, fit-for purpose and impartial.
The closing date for applications is Thursday 22 August
Opportunities for postdocs to work on projects on a just transition and climate and diets with the Scottish Government
ClimateXChange (CXC) seeks to offer 6-month postdoctoral opportunities. Researchers will work directly with the Scottish Government to inform their policies.
Developing a framework for monitoring and evaluation of a just transition to net zero in Scotland – to develop a draft framework for the monitoring and evaluation of a just transition to net zero in Scotland.
Analysing a complex evidence base for policy: diet and climate in Scotland – to explore approaches and barriers to evidence-based policymaking through analysis of a data-constrained context – specifically diet and climate in Scotland.
The closing date for applications is Wednesday 21 August
Calling all University of Exeter professionals and postgraduate researchers
Imagined Disciplines | Creative Club is a PhD research project by Rebecca Edgerley, which investigates how creative interventions shape interdisciplinary practices amongst university professionals and postgraduate researchers. Through techniques such as collage, poetry and performance, Creative Club invites participants to express and share their perspectives about different ways of knowing, doing, and supporting research.
"Whilst there isn’t a specific focus on ‘the environment’ or environmental issues, harnessing creativity for collaboration and interdisciplinarity (a foregrounded characteristic of many environmental research projects) is front and centre of this project. As such, those working in environmental, climate, and social sciences are most welcome to participate." Rebecca.
The Creative Club is an informal semi-structured space for creativity and experimentation. It offers a seasonal cycle of practical workshops, each hosted by a creative practitioner. No prior experiences of creative methods are required, only curiosity and a willingness to explore.
Info
Clear support for an unclear concept? Public attitudes towards local energy systems in the United Kingdom
A new paper from Ian Soutar and others has just been published, as part of EnergyREV, the report explores public support for local energy systems.
EnergyREV is a consortium of academics from 22 UK universities with the multi-disciplinary expertise to address these questions, identify evidence to inform change in both the UK and internationally and provide new tools and insights to accelerate the delivery and roll-out of these systems. We are doing this by considering the whole-system integration required for SLES.
UK should avoid rush to air-con as temperatures rise
The UK needs coordinated plans to stop a rush for air conditioning as temperatures rise, experts say. Overheating is already a problem in UK homes, resulting in increasing levels of discomfort, illness and death.
In a new policy brief, University of Exeter researchers warn that – without intervention from policymakers – many more UK households will opt for air-con.
The researchers call for a “passive-first” approach to keep people cool, and make five key recommendations to reduce risks and support action.
Centre for Climate Change and Social Transformations Phase 2 announcement
Congratulations to CAST, who have received a further five years of funding from the ESRC for Phase 2 of their research. They will be focusing on tackling hard-to-change behaviours – aka ‘sticky issues’ like flying and eating meat – to accelerate social transformations to net zero.
Beach cleans aren’t just good for the sea – they can boost your mental health and encourage better behaviour
This article written by Kayleigh Wyles for The Conversation looks at how participating in beach cleans is good for our mental health and encourages people to adopt more environmentally friendly behaviour.
