'Methodologies for Environment-Society Research: a workshop on
multi-disciplinarity and integration'
Contemporary environmental debates are characterised by complex
society-nature interactions. Our understandings of global climate
change, governance of fisheries, forests and fresh water, environmental
risk and vulnerability (among a multitude of other concerns) are shaped
by social, political, cultural, economic, ecological and physical
systems, and the interconnections between these realms.
The complexity of socio-ecological systems and discourses presents
considerable challenge – and opportunity – for scholars seeking to
develop rigorous and just research strategies. Importantly, research at
the society–nature interface demands methodologies that extend beyond
single-discipline or single-method approaches.
This workshop seeks to explore methodologies and methods for
multi-disciplinary and integrative environment–society research. In
particular, it aims to:
1. explore research methods available to scholars working at the
environment–society interface;
2. consider the challenges presented by combining methods stemming from
diverse epistemic traditions; and
3. identify opportunities and creative potential for developing new
methodological approaches and analytical techniques for rigorous and
just research.
We are seeking participants working with multi-disciplinary and
integrative methodologies for critical environment–society research, and
those interested in exploring and developing the creative potential in
this area. Participants’ methodological interests might include (but
should by no means be limited to) combinations of: narrative, modelling,
participatory action research, ecological surveys, statistics, visual
and performing arts, political economy, policy interventions,
environmental science methods, ethnography, visual simulation and
mapping, and traditional qualitative social science techniques. We are
particularly interested in hearing from people who are trying to bring
together multiple methods.
The workshop will be held in Oban at the Scottish Association for Marine
Science (SAMS) on 18th-19th March 2010. There will be no charge for
attending the workshop, and travel subsidies will be available for
unfunded participants. Information about accommodation options will follow.
Please send abstracts, expressions of interest to participate, and other
enquiries, to Leah Gibbs ([log in to unmask]) by Monday, 7th
December, 2009.
This workshop is sponsored by SAGES: Scottish Alliance for Geoscience,
Environment and Society, and is organised by members of the Universities
of Glasgow and Edinburgh, and the Scottish Association for Marine Science.
Organisers:
Dr Leah Gibbs (University of Glasgow)
Dr Andrea Nightingale (University of Edinburgh)
Ms Ruth Brennan (Scottish Association for Marine Science)
Dr Tavis Potts (Scottish Association for Marine Science)
--
Dr Leah M. Gibbs
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Department of Geographical & Earth Sciences
University of Glasgow
http://www.ges.gla.ac.uk/staff/lmgibbs
The University of Glasgow, charity number SC004401
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