How do we mobilise Swedish Social Science Research on Sustainability?

[Tid] 22 september, 09:30 - 16:30

[Plats] World Trade Center, Hall "New York", Klarabergsviadukten 70, Stockholm

[Arrangör] The Swedish Research Council for Environment, Agricultural Sciences and Spatial Planning (Formas), The Swedish Energy Agency, Mistra, the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, Riksbankens Jubileumsfond and the Swedish Research Council (Vetenskapsrådet)

[Webbadress] http://www.bwz.se/FORMAS/b.aspx?vi=12&vid=21&ucrc=3D62DB3B

 

Swedish social science research within the area of sustainable development has much to offer international research and society. External funding within the area has increased fourfold over the last ten years, but to realise the full potential of the research new ideas, courageous initiatives and commitments are required from all of the stakeholders. These were the views of the international panel that evaluated Swedish social science research on sustainable development over the period 1998-2008.

 

The panel observed an increase in funding and in the number of doctoral students, which is positive, and also saw a trend towards more interdisciplinary research. The panel also noted a rapid growth in social science research on climate, ecosystem management, environmental economics and general environmental policy tools.

At the same time the panel also identified several tensions within the research area that can threaten the area’s potential. Natural science perspectives can make the identification of important social and economic research issues more difficult. Conservative funding forms and short-term demands for immediately applicable results provide increasingly diminishing avenues for new research concepts. University career structures and a lack of dialogue between researchers and users may also threaten development. The panel recommends distinct commitments by all stakeholders and believes that new concepts and courageous commitments must be more highly emphasised.

The six research funding organisations that commissioned the evaluation are inviting you to a seminar. At this full-day seminar the evaluation will be presented and commented on by panel members and leading Swedish researchers in the field. The relevance of social science research for sustainability will be discussed between researchers, users and representatives for the research funding organisations.

Agenda
9.30 Registration and coffee

10.00 The Future of Social Science Research on Sustainability

Presentation of the evaluation

Comments by Victor Galaz, Stockholm Resilience Centre, Åsa Löfgren, University of Gothenburg, and others.

Questions and discussion (panel).

Moderator: Rolf Annerberg, Director General, Formas

12.00 The Relevance of Social Science Research on Sustainability

Presentation by Elizabeth Shove, Lancaster University

12.45 Lunch

14.00 One-to-one dialogue and comments by Lars-Erik Liljelund, Mistra, and Sverker Sörlin, KTH - Royal Institute of Technology, and others.

Questions and discussion (panel).

Moderator: Göran Blomqvist, Managing Director, Riksbankens Jubileumsfond

16.30 End of meeting

Venue: World Trade Center, Klarabergsviadukten 70, Hall "New York", Stockholm

More information: Jonas Förare,
,  Phone +46 8 775 40 04, or
Johan Eellend, Phone +46 8 775 40 22.

Register below before 25 August to secure a seat. The form also enables you to to state your preferences regarding food.

Welcome!