News, Jobs, Events, Opportunities and lots more...
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A quick round up of this week's news, jobs and opportunities
News
I hope you had a good Easter break.
I'm writing to you this week from the beautiful Dartington Hall in Devon where we are hosting the 2025 ACCESS Leadership College Retreat.
The ACCESS Leadership College is a cohort of 20 emerging leaders working in Environmental Social Science within academia, business, charities and the public sector. Every year, we bring them together to network and learn from one another and from experts across ACCESS and beyond.
Professor Michael Winter OBE delivered Wednesday's keynote, sharing his expertise about nature recovery and outlining the ACCESS Nature Recovery Task Force he is currently leading.
And yesterday, Dr Gemma Harper OBE, Chief Executive of the JNCC, delivered a keynote to our Fellows about purpose, the responsibility of leadership, and the importance of hope as a leadership skill – particularly within the environmental space.
Events
Workshop: Help Shape a New Framework for Net Zero Skills
Tuesday 29 April, 9.30–10.30am, online
C-DICE (The Centre for Postdoctoral Development in Infrastructure, Cities and Energy) is developing a framework to map out the higher-level transferable skills essential for achieving net zero objectives.
Their goal is to create a tool that assists researchers across various disciplines in planning their professional development and articulating their transferable skills.
They are inviting researchers to join a short online workshop to help shape this framework.
Exploring research priorities for the IPCC Seventh Assessment Report
Wednesday 14 May, 10am–5pm, London & online
As the IPCC’s Seventh Assessment (AR7) Cycle gets underway, the Grantham Institute (Imperial) is bringing together the UK climate research community to identify research priorities and opportunities.
This event will bring together the UK climate research community to explore the AR7 outlines and identify research priorities and evidence gaps that can be addressed in the coming years to strengthen and support the IPCC assessment. The event provides a great opportunity to connect with fellow experts on research relevant to the AR7.
It is open to UK based climate researchers, ranging from early career researchers to experienced IPCC contributors. It is not open to students.
Register here
Conference: Our Critical Decade for Climate Action
8–10 September, University of East Anglia
This climate-action conference hosted by The Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research and the University of East Anglia spans across four cross-cutting interdisciplinary questions over three days:
- What are the emergent and urgent transitions in our critical decade?
- How can climate action align with Paris commitments?
- What are the barriers and enablers to delivering climate action at scale?
- How to build and sustain coalitions for climate action?
There will also be early-career masterclasses, poster showcases, and a party to celebrate 25 years of the Tyndall Centre.
If you would like to showcase a poster of your research at the conference, email tyndall.25@uea.ac.uk by Friday 6 June for details.
Funding
DARe Hub Flexible Fund
The DARe Hub (National Hub for Decarbonised, Adaptable and Resilient Transport Infrastructure) has launched its second call for Flexible Fund proposals.
They are welcoming proposals from UK academic institutions, that address one of three topics:
1) Understanding the Economic Impact of Transitioning to Adaptable and Resilient UK Transport Infrastructure. (Up to 3 projects, worth up to £50,000.)
2) Developing a Cost Appraisal Tool for Transport Decarbonisation, Adaptation and Resilience. (1 project, worth up to £350,000.)
3) Exploring Value Associated with Nature-based Solutions for Climate Adaptation and Resilience of Transport Infrastructure. (Up to 2 projects, worth up to £200,000.)
Deadline: Tuesday 6 May, 5pm
British Academy/Leverhulme Small Research Grants
The BA/Leverhulme Small Research Grants are available to support primary research in the humanities and social sciences.
These awards, up to £10,000 in value and tenable for up to 24 months, are provided to cover the cost of the expenses arising from a defined research project.
Deadline: Wednesday 4 June, 5pm
ESRC New Investigator Grants (Round Two)
This funding supports researchers at the start of their careers to transition to become independent researchers through gaining experience of managing and leading research projects and teams.
It also provides an opportunity for them to support their own skill development, and that of any research staff employed on the grant.
You must be based at a UK research organisation eligible for ESRC funding.
The full economic cost (FEC) of your project can range from £100,000 to £350,000. ESRC will fund 80% of the FEC.
Deadline: Open, no closing date
ESRC Research Grants (Round Two)
This opportunity funds researcher-driven basic, applied, and strategic research from any disciplines and on any topics in ESRC’s remit. This includes standard research projects, methodological development, large-scale surveys or other infrastructures.
Applications are via the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Funding Service and will run as consecutive rounds with closing dates.
The full economic cost of your project can range from £350,000 to £1 million. ESRC will fund 80% of the full economic cost.
Deadline: Open, no closing date
Jobs
Fully-Funded PhD Studentship, University of Leeds
Inclusive evaluation of mobility systems
Fully-funded 3.5 yr PhD Studentship at the University of Leeds working with the INFUZE (Inspiring Futures for Zero Carbon Mobility) project and UK Department for Transport
This PhD will focus on building a novel evaluation framework which is led by the citizens involved in the trials and demonstrations being run by the INFUZE project. This will enable an integrated assessment of the social and public value of changes to the way transport is organised.
The PhD will then go on to place the citizen-led evaluation framework in critical dialogue with the existing appraisal framework. The aim will be to identify the critical gaps which need to be addressed if we are to put the needs of people at the heart of a decision-making framework that can also demonstrate the value of state investment and intervention
INFUZE is an ESRC-funded research project working creatively with communities in Leeds to design more sustainable transport options and reduce car dependency.
Deadline: Saturday 31 May
Research Officer, Scottish Land Commission
The Scottish Land Commission is seeking a researcher with strong qualitative and quantitative social science skills to lead on the delivery of research within their Programme of Work, by commissioning research externally, carrying out in-house research, delivering the Commission’s wider research strategy and supporting policy advice.
The post holder will lead delivery of Land Market Insights and Data Reports.
This is an excellent opportunity for someone looking to develop a career in research with real world impact in an area of high civic and political importance. The post is well suited to applicants looking for a secondment opportunity, and they would be happy to facilitate.
Deadline: Wednesday 21 May, noon
Post-doctoral Applied Research Opportunity, Scottish Government
Climate scenario decision-making tool
ClimateXChange (CXC) is offering an eight-month applied post-doctoral research opportunity to support Scottish Government colleagues in the development of a climate scenario decision-making tool and/or toolkit.
This will aid public bodies in Scotland in assessing climate risk and planning for resilience as the climate changes.
The successful candidate will have expertise in and an understanding of the use of climate scenarios in decision making and an interest in applying that expertise to develop a decision tool to integrate with national Scottish climate policy.
Deadline: Friday 6 June, noon
Post-doctoral Research Opportunity, Scottish Government
Monitoring and evaluating Scotland’s just transition to net zero
ClimateXChange (CXC) is offering a 9-month post-doctoral research opportunity to support the Scottish Government in developing a holistic and evidence-based approach to monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of a just transition to net zero in Scotland.
This research will examine the following question:
How can the Scottish Government deliver a robust and comprehensive approach to monitoring and evaluation of a just transition to net zero in Scotland that is consistent across scales and sectors?
The fellow will be partially embedded within a Scottish Government policy team, although there is significant scope for remote working.
Deadline: Monday 9 June, noon
Opportunities
Survey: What is Environmental Psychology?
The field of Environmental Psychology (EP) is growing and the Environmental Psychology Research Group at the University of Surrey and the Environmental Psychology Group at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences are interested in gaining an understanding of what it now means to be an environmental psychologist, how the field has developed over time and how it may develop in the future.
They are conducting a series of studies exploring perceptions of EP research and teaching, who works in this area, what topics they study and what methods they use – and they are asking for volunteers to complete their online survey.
The survey should take about 5-10 minutes to complete.
For questions or more information about the project please contact Amanda Gabriel (amanda.gabriel@slu.se) or Birgitta Gatersleben (b.gatersleben@surrey.ac.uk)
Survey: Net Zero Stakeholders
The Behavioral Science for Policy Lab at Princeton University invites you to participate in their global expert survey on the net-zero energy transition.
This 10-minute survey runs from 2023 to 2030 and asks experts (e.g., educators/researchers, asset owners, project developers, policymakers, and communities) about different aspects of low-carbon energy projects.
Call for Posters Abstracts: Exeter Climate Conference
The Exeter Climate Forum takes place between Monday 30 June – Friday 4 July, bringing together world-leading climate researchers, businesses, policymakers, and young people to shape and engage with the priorities for COP30 and beyond.
As part of the Forum, The Global Systems Institute at the University of Exeter and the Met Office will jointly host The Exeter Climate Conference. The conference will provide the opportunity to hear the latest research on the impacts of climate change and discuss innovative solutions to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of our changing climate for a resilient and sustainable future.
Submit your abstract for a poster presentation to share your research and engage in dynamic discussions during our themed sessions.
Deadline: Wednesday 30 April
Training
Unlock Hidden Patterns in Your Data: Cluster & Factor Analysis with R (Workshop)
Monday 12 May (9am–12pm) & Wednesday 14 May (9am–12pm), Online
Data can be complex, but the right analysis techniques can help uncover hidden patterns and relationships.
This workshop from Infra4NextGen will introduce three key methods of multivariate analysis: Cluster Analysis, Principal Component Analysis (PCA), and Factor Analysis.
Participants will learn how to determine when these methods are appropriate, how to apply them in R statistical software, and how to interpret the results.
Using practical examples, this workshop will teach the skills necessary to explore data structure, reduce dimensionality and identify meaningful clusters.
Gateway to Knowledge: Accessing Data from Established European Social Science Research Programmes (Webinar)
Friday 9 May (10-11am), online
One of the most common obstacles to using existing data or established research instruments (such as questionnaires) is the challenge of gaining access to them and understanding the conditions for their use in your work.
This webinar from Infra4NextGen will address these challenges and equip you with all the key information you need to navigate across established social science surveys in Europe.
You will learn how to access these datasets, which terms of use and license conditions apply to the reuse of data and documentation, and how to correctly cite them in your work.
At the end of the session, you will have everything at your fingertips to confidently access and reuse the data — relevant links, key guidelines, and insights.
Info
A new natural history GCSE is welcome – but climate change needs to be part of the whole curriculum
Young people in England, Wales and Northern Ireland will soon have the opportunity to take a new GCSE in natural history, driven by a campaign led by naturalist Mary Colwell.
But as welcome as the new qualification is, it "compartmentalises a subject that needs to be woven across the curriculum, so that every child is equipped to deal with the challenges we face and can appreciate that it impinges on every aspect of life," writes Alison Anderson (University of Plymouth) for The Conversation.
Drawing on her research for the Future Forum programme, run by the British Science Association (BSA), the author observes that meaningful solutions-focused approaches to learning alongside media literacy and critical thinking skills are needed to help young people generate and evaluate ideas for tackling the crisis.
What are the different roles of religious actors in sustainability transitions?
"Religious actors have great potential for influencing transformation processes toward environmentally sustainable societies... Yet, current scholarship is ambivalent about religion’s contribution to environmental sustainability," write Jens Koehrsen (University of Basel) and Chris Ives (University of Nottingham).
The authors' article, 'The Multiple Roles of Religious Actors in Advancing a Sustainable Future' in the journal Ambio, provides an heuristic of four different roles that religious actors can play in sustainability transitions: promoting, inhibiting, passive-observing, path-following. It also outlines under what conditions religious actors are most likely to influence transitions.
This heuristic will help researchers and sustainability practitioners to make sense of the complexity of religion's influence on sustainability transitions processes, and how to forge more effective partnerships for action.
Read it here
The authors have recently presented the heuristic in a NEST (Network of Early Career Researchers in Sustainability Transitions) webinar.
New guide to research and innovation challenges for climate adaptation released
A new report identifying the research and innovation needed to support the UK to adapt effectively to climate change has been released by the Government Office for Science and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
The Climate Adaptation Research and Innovation Framework (CARIF) outlines the research and innovation needed around climate adaptation.
CARIF is designed to make it easier for government, industry, and research communities to work together to tackle the challenges we face around adapting to climate change. The new framework is the first time the UK research needs across government and across sectors have been brought together in one place.
CARIF covers 11 sectors including nature, working land and seas, food security, water supply, energy, telecommunications and ICT, transport, town and cities and community preparedness/response, buildings, health, and business and finance.
Cooperative ways to help farmers benefit from restoring nature
A new report by CUSP (Centre for the Understanding of Sustainable Prosperity) researchers Amy Burnett and Fergus Lyon explores how cooperative governance models can empower farmers in new markets.
These models build on existing forms of cooperation such as farmer clusters and agri-food cooperatives.
This Agri-food for Net-Zero-funded research on ‘Farmers as Empowered Intermediaries? draws on the experiences of the Environmental Farmers Group (EFG) and insights from ongoing research on the agri-food sector at Middlesex University, part of the Integrating Finance and Biodiversity Programme.
The emotional toll of working on climate change and climate justice
Two recent articles in Nature Climate Change address the emotional toll of working on climate change and climate justice:
In 'Scientists have emotional responses to climate change too', Lisa Schipper (University of Bonn) et al. argue:
"The dominant paradigm holding that science is always objective needs to be challenged. When scientists’ opinions about climate change and their own fears are seen as irrelevant, it suggests that science is separate from society; however, this perspective ultimately weakens climate science."
In 'The emotional toll of fieldwork', Anna Lena Bercht & Verena Sandner Le Gall (Kiel University) write:
"... the unique nature of fieldwork brings about distinct emotional challenges that demand specific attention and tailored coping strategies... As the climate crisis accelerates, fostering the well-being of climate scientists across methodologies and disciplines will be essential in sustaining the long-term commitment to tackle one of the world’s most pressing environmental and social challenges."
Bercht and Sandner Le Gall encourage other colleagues to join the debate – particularly researchers from the Global South who are underrepresented in this conversation.
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.
That's it for this week.
If you have any items or suggestions for things you'd like me to include in the next ACCESS newsletter, I would love to hear them.
You can contact me at: s.p.a.darke@exeter.ac.uk or hit reply to this email.
