Social Research on Sustainability: Developing Concepts and Themes
Building on our existing interdisciplinary collaborations – across the University – to develop a strong conceptual framing for sustainable development using insights and methods from the social sciences
This theme develops the strong existing interdisciplinary social science research base within CES and across the University. The theme advances conceptual thinking on sustainability and strengthens the base of empirical evidence, underpinning the systems research of Sustainable Systems. Drawing on increasing interest in policy and business in 'behaviour change' and the social aspects of sustainability, the theme encompasses economic and institutional aspects of sustainability as well as the social and psychological dimensions of environmentally-relevant behaviour. It aims to extend and build upon existing links within the Faculty and across the University (in particular with Psychology, Sociology, Economics, Management and Law. Example topic areas include:
- Sustainable consumption practices and lifestyle choices
- Environmental values and value change
- Social impact of flooding and community resilience
- Business models for the delivery of energy services and carbon reduction
- Factors underpinning Corporate Social Responsibility
- Environmental justice for disadvantaged communities/developing countries
- Modelling sustainable economies
- Consumer responses to micro-generation and renewable energy technologies
- Behavioural changes (demand reduction) in the energy/water sectors
- Fair trade and fair trading: the distribution of profits along the supply chain
- Wellbeing and sustainability
- Using Lay Environmental Knowledge in Industry
- Towards a Social Psychology of Sustainable Consumption
Academic staff working in this area:
| Dr Kate Burningham | k.burningham@surrey.ac.uk | +44 (0)1483 686688 |
| Professor Tim Jackson | t.jackson@surrey.ac.uk | +44 (0)1483 689072 |
| Dr Yacob Mulugetta | y.mulugetta@surrey.ac.uk | +44 (0)1483 686673 |
| Dr Walter Wehrmeyer | w.wehrmeyer@surrey.ac.uk | +44 (0)1483 689075 |