Social Science of the
Energy-Environment-Food Nexus
Network Plus Town Meeting
An introduction to Social Science of the ‘Nexus’
Andy Gibbs, ESRC
What are the future Social Science
challenges that cut across the
Energy-Environment-Food Nexus?
RESILIENCE
(COPING WITH SHOCKS, AND PREPAREDNESS)
What national capabilities
are required for a resilient
society/economy and
environment?
What Works
Public policy
shaping/framing
Learning (evaluation and
knowledge sharing)
Resilience and Conflict
PUBLIC POLICY AND GOVERNANCE
SYSTEMS, TOOLS, ORGANISATIONS THAT CAN HELP
Risk, uncertainty,
complexity
Interdependencies, tradeoffs, values and decisions
Understanding the
dynamics of the nexus at
different spatial scales –
or, geography matters
Governance arrangements
for sustainable and
efficient overall resource
use
INTERNAL/EXTERNAL
DRIVERS OF CHANGE
Population dynamics:
Demographic and location
scales and trends
Consumption is the
major issue (we
consume too many
resources)
SUSTAINABLE BEHAVIOURS AND SOCIAL TRENDS
(SYSTEM LEVEL)
STUDIES OF INNOVATION
Trade
Behaviour and sociocultural change
Health
Bioeconomy:
New connections:
New trade-offs
Rethinking growth for a
sustainable future
Business
(diverse group)
Human Rights
SOCIAL INNOVATIONS
UNDERPINNING
Methodological issues
A flavour of the emergent questions:
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How can we build a richer picture of value systems across the nexus?
How do we grow without consuming more?
Is GDP the right measure of prosperity?
What is and where is the green economy?
What new sectors would grow if policy was implemented?
What policy works in the interconnected space of nexus?
What new governance arrangements are necessary for sustainable overall resource
use?
What does resilience look like through a nexus lens?
What are the new research questions around coping with shocks and
preparedness?
What does current understanding of behaviour and socio-cultural change look like
in the nexus space and where are the gaps?
What training, skills, data, methods and capacity is needed to support this research?
How can we continue the conversation?
Social Science of the Energy-Environment-Food Nexus:
What Next?
Nexus thinking:
Interdependencies, trade-offs, values, decisions…
Re-thinking growth
for a sustainable
future
What is and Where
is the Green
Economy?
Resilience,
coping with
shocks and
preparedness
Consumption,
behaviour and
socio-cultural
change
Public policy
shaping, framing and
learning
Governance
arrangements for
sustainable overall
resource use
Methodological Issues
Scale and context: spatial, political, demographic…
Our Vision for this Network Plus
Hannah Collins, ESRC
Social Science of the Energy-Environment-Food Nexus:
What Next?
Nexus thinking:
‘Social Science of the Nexus’ Network Plus
Interdependencies, trade-offs, values, decisions…
Re-thinking growth
for a sustainable
future
What is and Where
is the Green
Economy?
Resilience,
coping with
shocks and
preparedness
Consumption,
behaviour and
socio-cultural
change
Public policy
shaping, framing and
learning
Governance
arrangements for
sustainable overall
resource use
Methodological Issues
Scale and context: spatial, political, demographic…
‘Social Science of the Nexus’ Network Plus
▶ Create a space for ‘Nexus thinking’ to happen;
▶ Foster linkages between research activities that can contribute to
addressing the challenges of the Social Science of the Nexus;
▶ Engage the research community with business and other users of research;
▶ Encourage interdisciplinary conversations and perspectives;
▶ Develop richer thinking across the nexus through establishment of a wellresourced networking capacity and leadership;
▶ Unearth future research challenges.
Characteristics of the NW+
▶ Open, interdisciplinary membership;
▶ Engage a wide range of relevant stakeholders, from academia, business,
policy and other sectors;
▶ engage, build and support a new research community, drawing on existing
and future investments;
▶ be led by a strong, interdisciplinary team who can articulate a clear shared
vision for the NW+;
▶ Dedicated pot for pilot projects and placements to be administered by the
NW+;
▶ Strong relationship with ESRC, working with us to unearth new challenges,
inform our strategy and build capacity.
NW+ Leadership Team
▶ A new grouping of researchers?
▶ Draw on strong, existing leadership in the social sciences
across related areas
▶ Inspirational leaders! Credible figureheads! Advocates for
the role of the social sciences in addressing the challenges
of the nexus!
▶ Experience of working with a range of partners
▶ Novel approaches to emerging problem spaces
▶ Unbiased and independent.
The call details
Up to £1.875M (100 per cent fEC), 3 year grant
Of which, £500,000 (100 per cent fEC) ring-fenced for:
Pilot Projects and Placements
(Administered by the NW+ through open competition with robust selection process)
And the remainder:
Employ an academic Network Coordinator
Principal Investigator 1-2 days per week
Clear management structure for the NW+, events, publicity etc.
Your Expression of Interest
▶ The names and affiliations of the leadership team members and why this is the right team;
▶ A clear articulation of the leadership team’s vision for the NW+;
▶ How the leadership team will build a community of practice (including user engagement) and
facilitate emergent thinking around the challenges of the nexus.
▶ 2 pages: no other documentation will be accepted!
We will be assessing:
▶ Why you?
Appropriateness, expertise and track record of the leadership team.
▶ Are we convinced?
The power of the leadership team’s vision for the NW+, and alignment with ESRCs stated
aims for the NW+.
▶ Is it exciting?
Articulation and creativity in how the leadership team will build a community of practice and
facilitate emergent thinking around the challenges of the nexus.
N.B. Please see the call document for full details.
Timetable
Closing date for Expressions of Interest:
16.00 on 3 October 2013
Via email: esrcnexusnetworkplus@esrc.ac.uk
Decisions by mid-October (we hope Friday 18!)
Full proposals stage closes: 12 December 2013
Formal decisions: 31 January 2014
NW+ grant will commence by 1 April 2014
Some things to think about:
▶ How your Network Plus will drive forward ‘social science of
the nexus’;
Nexus thinking:
Interdependencies, trade-offs, values, decisions…
Re-thinking growth
for a sustainable
future
What is and Where is
the Green Economy?
Resilience,
coping with
shocks and
preparedness
Consumption,
behaviour and
socio-cultural
change
Methodological Issues
Scale and context: spatial, political, demographic…
Public policy shaping,
framing and learning
Governance
arrangements for
sustainable overall
resource use
Some things to think about:
▶ Your vision for how you would position and embed this NW+ in
the current landscape;
▶ The USP of your leadership team and their vision for this network
in the context of the call;
▶ Strategies for how you will engage members and stakeholders;
▶ How you will unearth new research challenges in the nexus space;
▶ How you would administer the pilot projects and partnerships;
▶ Other creative approaches and ideas that we haven’t thought of!
Speaking of which…