Calls
Research
Events
Online
New Publications
Jobs and Training
And Finally…
News
SDRN Annual Conference 08: Press Coverage
Following on from this year’s SDRN Annual Conference, we have added some more information to the Conference webpage highlighting key press coverage gained. Coverage included: a piece in ‘Regeneration and Renewal’ magazine, based on RELU’s ‘Healthy Diet, Healthy Countryside’ session; a general article in Defra’s sustainable development newsletter ‘SD Scene’; and a section in RELU’s October Newsletter. Visit the website to view these links.
Calls
‘Informing public policy: New agendas for social research’ Conference – Call for Abstracts
Social research is playing an increasingly important role in policy-making; research on issues such as social exclusion, pensions, the minimum wage, welfare and benefits, social capital and climate change has shaped today’s policy agenda. Yet according to a recent report compiled by the British Academy, the full value of the social sciences has not been fully realised by public policy makers. This conference will examine the evolving relationship between social research and policy, considering future challenges and opportunities for policy-relevant social research. Abstracts are invited on any of the six key themes of the conference; crime and justice, families and young people, health and ageing, methods and data, social and political engagement, and welfare and work. Abstracts should not exceed 300 words and may be sent to abstracts@promarta.co.uk before 31st January 09. More…
‘Dynamics and Governance of Transitions to Sustainability’ – Call for Papers
The 1st European Conference on Sustainability Transitions will bring together a rapidly growing community of researchers and practitioners to respond to the increasingly widespread view that sustainable development requires fundamental structural changes in the socio-technical systems that currently provide for human needs. The conference will provide an opportunity to evaluate, and reflect on, the current state of knowledge with regards to understanding the dynamics and governance of transitions to sustainability. Sessions will be organised around the twin pillars of ‘Understanding transitions’ and ‘Strategic orientation and policy programmes’, drawing on a number of key themes. Papers addressing topics under these pillars are being invited, with a particular interest in papers that compare lessons learnt from recent research in different European countries. Abstracts should be no longer than 600 words and submitted by 31st January 09. Visit the website for more information on abstract themes.
‘Environmental Education in Science, Mathematics and Technology Education’ Special Issue – Call for Statements of Interest
The editors of the Canadian Journal for Science, Mathematics and Technology Education are inviting statements of interest for this special journal issue focusing on environmental education. While the environment has received some attention in science education, including in the STSE movement, far fewer connections have been made between environmental education and mathematics and technology education. Of particular interest are the relationships between environmental education and science, mathematics or technology education in terms of ontology, epistemology, pedagogy, and policy. Statements of interest should include the title of the proposed manuscript and an extended abstract (500-word maximum) and be submitted by 15th January 09. The abstract should: describe the approach (e.g. theoretical, empirical etc) taken; clearly state the connection between environmental education and at least one of science, mathematics or technology education; and provide either an overview of data to be analysed and discussed and/or key arguments to be made in the paper. Contact Justin Dillon or Constance Russell for more information.
‘The use of innovative methodological approaches to better understand pro-environmental behaviour’ – Call for Abstracts
The Royal Geographical Society and Institute for British Geographers will be hosting their Annual Conference in Manchester from 26th- 28th August 2009. Contributions are being invited for a Planning and Environment Research Group (PERG) and Postgraduate Research Group (PRG) sponsored session on ‘The use of innovative methodological approaches to better understand pro-environmental behaviour’. Irrespective of large sections of the public holding pro-environmental attitudes or values, associated shifts to pro-environmental patterns of behaviour have not been forthcoming. There is thus a need to think more carefully and critically about how to encourage and facilitate pro-environmental behaviour, a challenge for which innovative methodological approaches hold much potential. This conference session invites papers that explore the application of innovative methodological approaches to these issues. Methodological approaches in this sense may themselves be innovative (for example, the use of technological innovations such as wikis or blogs, reflexive diaries, or action research techniques), or may instead be innovative applications of existing methodological approaches to this area (such as mixed methods, participant observation, or narrative analysis). Of particular interest are those methodological approaches that are multi or interdisciplinary in nature. What is vital, however, is that the approach makes an original contribution to understandings of pro-environmental behaviour. Abstracts of no more than 250 words should be submitted to Louise Reid, University of Aberdeen and Tom Hargreaves, University of East Anglia before 6th February 09. Applications are also encouraged from postgraduate and early career researchers.
‘Public and stakeholder engagement in transforming energy systems’ – Call for Abstracts
The Planning and Environment Research Group (PERG) of the Royal Geographical Society is sponsoring a session on ‘Public and stakeholder engagement in transforming energy systems’ at the 2009 RGS-IBG Conference ‘Geography, Knowledge and Society’ to be hosted in Manchester from 26th – 28th August 2009. It is increasingly accepted that energy systems with high carbon emissions are not environmentally sustainable and require transformation. The proposed RGS session is intended to provide a timely review of research on public and stakeholder engagement, in contexts of diverse, innovative energy technologies. Public and stakeholder engagement is conceived broadly - as the interaction between how developers and statutory actors engage (or fail to engage) with publics and stakeholders in relation to energy technologies (including assumptions held about the methods used, such as the provision of financial benefits or the holding of deliberative events), and how individuals and groups engage with energy policies and projects (including indirectly through the media and directly through emotional and behavioural responses). Please email abstracts of 150-200 words by February 1st 2009 to paul.upham@manchester.ac.uk and pdwright@manchester.ac.uk. More…
‘Rural Sparks’ – Call for Nominations
The Carnegie Trust UK and Rachel Rowlands (founder of Rachel’s Organic) are teaming up with TV personality Jimmy Doherty to identify rural champions across the country who have helped transform the areas where they live. Nominations for these ‘Rural Sparks’ are invited from anyone who considers themselves or someone they know to have achieved something remarkable within their rural community. The types of initiative the assessment panel may consider include community-run renewable energy schemes; projects promoting local produce; or residents who set up their own Community Land Trust. Carnegie will select five top Rural Sparks, one each from Scotland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, as well as ten runners up. Top Sparks will receive a contribution towards their project and will be included in a new book, Carnegie’s compendium of rural innovation, which will be published in 2009. The deadline for entries is 29th December 2008. More…
The Mary Langman Essay Competition 2008/09 - Call for Applicants
The Pioneer Health Foundation has recently launched an essay competition 'The Mary Langman prize'. The Foundation exists to disseminate the ideas of the Pioneer Health Centre, which operated in Peckham, London between 1935 and 1950 and was an enquiry into the nature of health. As part of its activities, the Foundation is launching the 'Mary Langman Prize'; an annual award for an essay that furthers the lessons learnt at the Pioneer Health Centre about the social, emotional and environmental determinants of health. See www.phf.org.uk for further information about the Centre. The Peckham Experiment and the work of its founders George Scott-Williamson and Innes Pearse went beyond the scope of a project focused merely on family health. This holistic approach means the essay competition is likely to be of interest to students of courses including nutrition, public health, wellbeing and child development. The prize will be awarded for an essay which demonstrates a deep understanding of the principles of the Peckham Experiment, and their current potential for application, and the competition is open to all those studying at universities in the UK. Full details of the competition, including how students may enter, are available on the competition website. The deadline for registering to enter the competition is 30th January 2009. More...
Back to contents
Research
The impacts of tourism on quality of life
The Ministry of Local Government of the Hungarian Republic has adopted an innovative approach to tourism strategic planning that aims to improve quality of life (QoL) through tourism. In collaboration with a number of partners, the Ministry has developed the ‘Budapest TQoL Model’ to facilitate measurement of the impacts of tourism on QoL. This aims to move beyond the use of standard economic indicators to the inclusion of previously under-researched social and cultural dimensions. The feasibility and applicability of the methodology was tested among visitors and residents in a pilot study in ten countries, and the results used to produce a preliminary index which will be developed into a valuable tool for tourism decision-makers. The index is currently being refined following feedback from international experts in quality of life theory and practice, and the final version will be available from February 09. More…
Social Justice Research
The Food Ethics Council and New Economics Foundation have recently launched a two-year research project, funded by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, to explore social justice issues in the food system. The aim is to put social justice back at the heart of progressive policy, business and campaigning on food. The global food crisis and mounting obesity have pushed sustainability and public health up the agenda in the food sector, but sustainability is seen in terms of environmental efficiency, and efforts to address health inequalities focus on consumption rather than workplace injustice. Meanwhile, exploitation seems to be increasingly commonplace and the sector has witnessed some of the worst documented abuses of workers’ rights in recent years. This project seeks to identify the factors driving this trend and work with policy-makers, business and civil society groups to reverse it. More…
Back to contents
Events
RSM Event – ‘Unravelling the paradoxes: Economic recession, sustainable development and health’
6th February 09: Main lecture theatre, The Royal Society of Medicine, London
At times of contracting economies, programmes for sustainable development, environmental protection and health equity may face financial challenges. Continuing support for these activities will depend on the overall framework for interpreting current and future economic success within the developed market economies, including their relationship with the global dimensions of the economy and environmental change, and their public health implications. This symposium aims to facilitate reflection on these issues, exploring how sustainable development is linked to environmental health inequalities and considering tools that could address inequalities within a sustainable economy. More…
Conference – ‘Adaptation 2009’
29th January 09: Ramada Jarvis Hotel, Leicester
Local authorities have a long-standing responsibility to protect their communities from risk. Climate change adaptation is fundamentally about protecting people and property from the adverse impacts of extreme weather events and also about exploiting any positive impacts. ‘Adaptation 2009’, a one-day regional conference, will help equip local authorities and their partners to address climate change adaptation at a local level, and to help meet the requirements of the Nottingham Declaration and the new Local Area Agreement Indicator 188. Presented by the Environmental Sustainability Team of Leicester City Council, and sponsored by GOEM and EM IEP, this one-day conference will consist of key note speeches and presentations, drama and workshops, as well as networking opportunities and displays. The event will also see the launch of the East Midland’s Regional Programme of Action on Climate Change. For more information, contact Debbie Hill.
IRRI Conference – ‘Zero Waste: Rhetoric or Reality? A Global Perspective’
22nd – 23rd April 09: Dundee
The first International Resources and Recycling Institute (IRRI) Conference will tackle the subject of ‘Zero Waste – Rhetoric or Reality? A Global Perspective.’ Zero Waste has become a touchstone phrase in waste and recycling policy in recent years. It has been adopted in regions all over the world to encapsulate policy and plans for waste and recycling in future. But has it become too much of a political slogan, and not enough of a practical reality? In recent times, the economic crisis has changed the emphasis. A report on the UK policy developments with regard to the environment concludes that ‘while the range and urgency of the environmental threats has continued to increase in the past year, all the parties have retreated from the environmental agenda.’ This conference assembles speakers from all over the world to discuss their perspective on Zero Waste and what is possible. It will also launch the inaugural Scottish Environment Personality of the Year award. More…
Sustain Event – ‘National Food Co-ops Conference’
2nd February 09: Portland Place, London
The main focus of this one-day conference is on helping food co-ops and other community-run food outlets become more sustainable. The conference aims to provide a forum to facilitate networking, sharing of experience, launching Sustain’s new food co-ops toolkit and, through a number of workshops, sharing findings on topics investigated in the first year of the programme. The day will include presentations from food co-ops from across the country, covering areas such as needs assessment, governance, suppliers, education and volunteer support in the afternoon workshops. Keynote speaker, Martin Caraher, reader in Food and Health Policy at City University, has worked extensively on issues related to sustainable food supplies, the role of co-ops in promoting health, farmers markets and food access. More…
Bassac Conference 09 – ‘Get it together: Collaboration for stronger communities’
25th – 26th February 09: Peepul Centre, Leicester
The significant contributions of community and voluntary organisations to all aspects of civil society are increasingly being recognised and acknowledged in national policy and local decision-making. This conference aims to reclaim the debate about civil society for community and voluntary organisations and to explore how collaboration, collective action and cooperation can strengthen the sector, challenge national policy and deliver lasting local change. The day will offer policy-makers, funders and voluntary organisations the opportunity to learn from the experiences of frontline community organisations, to better understand how marginalisation and exclusion are being tackled, and to consider how they could be tackled more effectively in the future. More…
Back to contents
Online
Just Cities Youth Group
In recognition of the particular susceptibility of young people to cultural, political and social exclusion, Capacity Global has set up the ‘Just Cities’ project, which aims to help young people understand how decisions that affect their environment are made and how they can influence those decisions. As part of the project participants are launching a new youth-led organisation that will help young people around the world share concerns and thoughts about their environment and discuss options for improving, engaging and participating in decision-making. The Just Cities Youth Group will champion youth political participation; campaigning on issues that affect young people’s lives, and providing inspiration, training and tools for change. Visit the Capacity Global site
National Centre for Research Methods EPrints Repository
The National Centre for Research Methods (NCRM) has launched an online archive for research methods. This NCRM ePrints service is a single access point to all NCRM outputs, including books, articles, working papers, reviews, reports and presentations. The archive contains either the output itself, a link to it or, in some cases, just the bibliographic information. Old and new outputs are continually being added and updated. More…
Back to contents
Publications
JRF Report – ‘Monitoring poverty and social exclusion 2008’
This report, produced for the Joseph Rowntree Foundation by the New Policy Institute, marks the tenth anniversary of the first edition of ‘Monitoring Poverty and Social Exclusion’. Built around a set of indicators constructed using the latest official government data, the report assesses the record across a wide range of subjects from low income to exclusion from services. It effectively provides a picture of the state of poverty and social exclusion in the UK just before the onset of the recent economic downturn. The authors note a distinct difference in the record between the two five year periods, from 1997 up to 2002/2003 and since then. During the earlier period, 30 out of 56 statistics monitored improved, with 7 worsening. During the latter period, however, 14 improved while 15 worsened. This is a potentially fragile position to be in when entering a recession and the report acts as a timely reminder of the need to consider its possible impacts on already vulnerable people. More…
CLG Report – ‘Evaluation of the take-up and use of the Well-Being Power’
The concept of Well-Being Power was introduced in 2000 to enable local authorities to act on behalf of their areas. Between 2003 and 2007, INLOGOV at the University of Birmingham and the Cities Research Centre at the University of the West of England carried out a formative evaluation to examine local authorities’ take-up and use of the Power and the factors which had affected it. The Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG) commissioned the research in response to concerns that the Well-Being Power had not made sufficient impact on local government. This report highlights the key findings of the evaluation and sets out a number of recommendations for local authorities to help promote a wider understanding of the concept of well-being and contribute to well-being in local communities through its leadership/place-shaping role. More…
IIED Briefing – ‘Against the tide: Climate change and high-risk cities’
In the world’s poorest and most vulnerable nations, most cities and towns face a distinct dual pressure: rapidly growing population and high vulnerability to the impacts of climate change. Drought, storms, flooding and sea-level rise are likely to hit hardest there. These climate change impacts in turn put water supplies, infrastructure, health and livelihoods at risk in the very cities already struggling to provide or safeguard such key needs. This briefing explores this dual pressure and suggests that an effective response will demand capable local and national government and support from strong international networks in building capacity to cope; resources currently lacking in most of the Least Developed Countries. More…
IIED Briefing – ‘Adaptation funding and development assistance: Some FAQs’
The interconnections between development and climate change issues are becoming increasingly apparent. Unsustainable development drives climate change; sustainable development can reduce vulnerability to it. Development issues can constrain capacity to adapt to climate change; climate impacts can be a barrier to development. The realisation of these connections has led to calls for climate change and development organisations to coordinate adaptation funding. Such a move raises a number of important questions; how do adaptation and development actually differ? Should development funding be used for adaptation, and should climate change institutions support sustainable development? This briefing tackles these and other frequently asked questions, clarifying the roles of institutions in both fields in helping build the resilience of the poor and the most vulnerable to climate change. More…
BBSRC Report – ‘Review of BBSRC research relevant to environmental change’
This review is part of the BBSRC’s ongoing series of strategic reviews aimed at informing the Council’s future direction and priorities. It complements previous reviews of BBSRC-funded research of relevance to sustainable agriculture, crop science, farm animal genomics, bioenergy and microbial science. The review panel, chaired by Professor Alistair Hetherington of the University of Bristol, consisted of experts in a range of relevant disciplines from universities (UK and USA), research institutes, industry and user organisations, and met four times over the course of the review. The review also included a consultation in order to solicit views from a wide range of stakeholders. Environmental change (including climate change) represents one of the greatest challenges facing humankind over the coming decades. Research will be essential to enable analysis and prediction of the changes and to allow the development of strategies for adaptation and mitigation of their impacts. The report makes recommendations on future priorities for BBSRC research as well as on mechanisms for their successful implementation. More…
New Book – ‘Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Consumption: The Rebound Effect’
Most governments seek to improve energy efficiency in order to reduce carbon emissions. This book suggests, however, that this may not be as effective as is generally assumed; various ‘rebound effects’ may take back some or all of the energy savings, and it is possible that improvements in energy efficiency will lead to increases in energy demand over the long term. This book aims to provide a detailed analysis of these rebound effects and to highlight their far-reaching implications for energy and climate policy. It combines economic studies of the rebound effect with broader analyses of the socio-cultural and political implications. Written for researchers, policy-makers and environmentalists, the book summarises the current state of knowledge, presents new research and explores the conditions under which energy efficiency can contribute to sustainability. More…
NERC Report – ‘Economic Impact Reporting Framework: Report for 2007/08’
NERC has recently published its third annual Economic Impact Reporting Framework (EIRF) report. These reports were implemented across all Research Councils in 2005 and form part of the economic impact reporting framework managed by the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills. The framework contains data on selected aspects of NERC performance relevant to the government’s objectives for the UK science base and to the NERC delivery plan, including: overall economic impacts, knowledge generation (stock of publicly available knowledge), knowledge generation (human capital), investment in the research base and innovation, framework conditions (both public engagement and financial sustainability), and knowledge exchange efficiency. A number of successes are reported for 2007/08, including the provision of advice to government by the environmental sciences community on 957 occasions in relation to NERC-funded science, which constitutes an increase of 28% in two years. More…
LDA Report – ‘Towards a One Planet 2012: Sustainability Plan Update’
Sustainability has been a central theme of London 2012 since the beginning of London’s bid to host the Olympic Games. This report provides a progress update on the Sustainability Plan ‘Towards a Planet 2012’, published in November 2007, and sets out the key challenges for 2009. Simon Lewis, WWF London 2012 spokesperson, commented on the report; ‘The update and report card clearly demonstrate that a lot of good progress is being made by some stakeholders…But what is less clear is how the promised sustainable legacy for London post-2012 is progressing. Commitments were made in 2007 but there appears to have been a lack of stakeholder coordination and insufficient strategic planning or prioritisation for a green legacy for the Games despite this being one of London’s main promises’. The report, however, suggests that, because of the stage that preparations for the Games have reached, more progress can be reported in some areas (such as helping local people and businesses to benefit from construction works) than in others (such as detailed plans for legacy developments). More…
Forum for the Future Report – ‘Acting now for a positive 2018, preparing for a radical change’
In this report Forum for the Future and Cap Gemini have set out to explore what the current turbulent economic times mean for business and sustainability. They have used their understanding of the last decade to create four different scenarios for the next ten years; in each one sustainability considerations grow increasingly important and have consequences for business, the government and the public. The report argues that businesses must act now to achieve the best future and prepare for radical change, and governments must regulate to reduce the risk of catastrophic environmental collapse and provide the conditions in which solutions can arise. Finally, it suggests that we can all play a part in creating a future where climate change is contained, where we live without degrading the natural world we ultimately rely on, and where billions of people can have choice over how they live their lives. More…
Resolve Working Paper – ‘Materialistic and environmental values of young volunteers in nature conservation projects’
Young people in western societies are frequently exposed to a materialistic ethos which promotes consumption profit growth. At the same time, inner city environments and parent lifestyles have led to an increasing disconnection from natural environments. This study worked with BTCV volunteers in order to explore whether young people who engage in nature-based conservation activities have more affinity with nature, stronger pro-environmental values and less materialistic values and lifestyles than their counterparts. The findings support the idea that well-being and pro-environmental behaviour are positively related to attitudes towards nature and contact with nature and negatively to materialism. The study does not show whether these attitudes develop due to participation in BTCV activities or whether BTCV attracts young people who already possess these different viewpoints. More extensive longitudinal studies need to be conducted to provide conclusive answers to this. More…
CCC Report – ‘Building a low-carbon economy: the UK’s contribution to tackling climate change’
The UK Committee on Climate Change has recently published their first report, which begins by explaining why the UK should aim for an 80% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, and how that is attainable. The report continues by recommending the first three carbon budgets that will define the path to 2022. Achieving this path will require strong policies; some of these are already in place, some need to be reinforced, and some new ones will be required. The key findings and recommendations of the report are set out under three sections; the 2050 target, the first three budgets, and the wider social and economic impacts of budgets. More…
Defra Publication – ‘The Environment in Your Pocket 2008’
Defra has published the latest edition of ‘The environment in your pocket’, which is an annual publication containing material on various environmental themes including climate change, air quality, waste and recycling, land, coastal and marine waters, radioactivity, wildlife and inland water. The main theme of this year’s publication is climate change and a larger section has been devoted to topics relating to climate change. It covers almost 60 key data series and focuses on providing trends over time, including performance against quantified targets and commitments set at the national and international level. It also includes several environmental indicators of sustainable development. More…
Back to contents
SDRN Website: ‘Jobs and Training’ Section
Jobs and Training opportunities around the Sustainable Development Research network are now updated frequently on the ‘Jobs and Training’ page of the SDRN website…
And Finally...
Mince Pie Consumption Highlights the Benefits of Sustainable Transport
With the Christmas festivities and feasting fast approaching, national charity Living Streets has launched the ‘Mince Pie Walking Calculator’, which uses scientific formulae to work out the number of calories you burn off when you walk, and rewards you for your effort in mince pie points. According to Tony Armstrong, Chief Executive of Living Streets, ‘the mince pie walking calculator is a brilliant way of demonstrating how many calories you can burn by simply incorporating walking into your everyday commute, and what better way to be rewarded than by earning mince pie points!’ In addition to the calculator, Living Streets share a number of key mince pie facts, including that it is considered good luck to eat mince pies on each of the 12 days of Christmas, and even luckier to eat one on each day in a different home. More…
On that note, the SDRN team would like to thank everyone that has contributed to the Network in 2008 and wish all our members a very Happy Christmas and New Year!
Back to contents
The SDRN Mailing is a moderated information resource and dissemination service for SDRN members. You can make use of this service by sending any information for inclusion in the mailing to Sarah Bell or Info@sd-research.org.uk.
To join or leave this list, please email Sarah Bell or follow the links from the JISCmail website