This programme provides UK-based researchers, active in any discipline within the humanities or the social sciences, with the opportunity to develop and lead international and interdisciplinary research projects related to the theme of Just Transitions.
The aim of this call is to support international collaborations between researchers in the UK and elsewhere on internationally focused research projects of an interdisciplinary nature (involving at least collaboration between the humanities and social sciences) that go beyond the day-to-day matters that this theme might engender, and instead focus on the deeper and more long-term issues of Just Transitions.
Beyond the need to demonstrate an interdisciplinary approach between both the humanities and social sciences through international research collaboration, the Academy wishes to encourage novel thinking rather than offering a pre-designed idea of the form of the research. However, it encourages applications that address one or more of the following framing questions:
Experience:
- How can the most profound social and environmental transformations in human history take place in a just and equitable fashion?
- How will these transitions be experienced and understood differently across societies and communities?
- In order to achieve a just transition, what inequalities and inequity need to be overcome?
- Who has what responsibilities to enact a just transition and where is the agency for a just transition?
- How can a fossil fuel phaseout be achieved in an equitable manner?
- What are the trade-offs and dynamics driving and hindering progress to such a phaseout?
- What lessons can be learnt from climate mitigation and adaptation practice to date?
Representation:
- How have such transitions been managed in the past and how have and will they be imagined and represented?
- What is the role of different knowledges in biodiversity and climate change policymaking?
- Who has access and ownership to these knowledges and who has generated and paid for it?
- What is a green development project?
- How do dynamics of inertia inhibit dynamics of change in a just transition?
- Can a transition be achieved with institutions, cultures and political economy remaining the same?
Leadership:
- How can a low carbon world be facilitated by human behaviour rather than attempt to be imposed by technological innovation?
- How and by whom should such transitions be designed and led?
- How can states and non-state actors transition away from fossil fuels in a just, orderly and equitable manner?
- What are the different scenarios for such a transition and how can the different dynamics between justice, order and equity conflict and complement each other?
- What are the timelines, targets and burden sharing arrangements that need to be put in place?
Trade-offs:
- What are the trade-offs and dynamics in a just transition, for example between effectiveness and justice or climate change and biodiversity loss?
- Can you have transitions that achieve multiple aims?
- What does a climate resilient and nature supporting end goal look like and what are the trade-offs necessary to make it possible?
- What would be required in terms of a green transition if abatement technologies were not considered as part of the mix or if they do not come on stream as quickly and impactfully as currently modelled?
- How can environmental change and climate change act to exacerbate and multiply conflict risks and threats?
- Can climate and poverty goals be aligned to achieve a just transition?
The above should not be seen as prescriptive and the onus is on applicants to demonstrate that their projects bring genuine added value to the question of Just Transitions.
Value and duration
Awards of 24 months in duration and up to £300,000 are available.
Projects must begin in March/April 2025.
Deadline: 18 September 2024 (5pm)