Welcome to the Transitions for Sustainable Development Social Science e-Conference

Transitions for Sustainable Development – Social scientists meeting the challenge
How are we as social scientists meeting the challenges of our changing global environment?

Social science research can help us:

  • better comprehend the complex dynamics of linked social-ecological systems, and
  • explain how to manage our development to support resilient communities and ecosystems.

This e-conference builds directly on the World Social Science Report (2013). It recognises that global environmental changes have potentially grave consequences for the well-being and security of people all over the world. The challenge we face is to secure sustainable development through effective responses to today’s interacting processes of environmental and social change.

As the report points out, the social sciences can help society as a whole understand the changes needed at individual, community, organisational and systemic levels; and how these changes could be realised in politically and socially feasible and culturally acceptable ways.

Aims

This e-conference aims to build a vibrant community of people with fresh perspectives about our changing global environments. Particular aims are to:

  • showcase the range of social science initiatives addressing global and local environmental change
  • identify ways in which the social sciences can help society manage transitions to sustainable development
  • look at how to strengthen the use of social science in addressing global (and local) environmental change
  • support social science leadership in integrated research
  • engage with new colleagues and strengthen the social science community of practice.

Who for

This e-conference is relevant to social scientists and those who use and integrate social science, including:

  • researchers
  • policy makers
  • indigenous groups
  • community and sector leaders.

Major questions

  • What now – what are we doing now?
  • So what – what impact are we having?
  • What next – what still needs to be done?

Event details

When: 25 August – 8 September, 2014. Join in daily or whenever you can.

Where: At home, at work – wherever you are. The e-conference discussion space will be the TSDN Forum (a private eSocSci discussion space for TSD-network members).

Cost: FREE! The e-conference is inclusive and environmentally friendly. No travel is needed.

Twitter hashtag: #TSDNetwork

Registration

Please follow this link to register: Social science e-conference

Participation

You can participate by:

  • Posting: contribute your thoughts and experiences
  • Commenting: reply to or comment on a post
  • Contributing resources: email presentations or papers to the moderators for inclusion in the e-conference reference list
  • Lurking: log in to read posts and follow the discussion or pick up resources