Social environmental research in the European Union: research networks and new agendas

Book abstract:

This book explores the making of international social science and the parts which academics, policy makers and research managers play in creating European social environmental research. The authors present and analyse a complex picture of overlapping institutional interests within six countries of the EU - The Netherlands, UK, Spain, Greece, Finland and Austria - to develop new models with which to capture the transnational interaction of researchers and funding agencies. The contributors consider the practical and intellectual challenges facing European research managers charged with the task of building a community of social researchers willing to engage with a policy-relevant environmental agenda. The book analyses the shape and character of European social science and the values and commitments of research activity on the environment.

Questions examined in the book include: What does it mean to manage an international research programme, and what are the characteristics of international research and science policy? How has European social environmental research evolved? How does social environmental research relate to policy and how do national and international research networks, agendas and funders interact?

The chapters are: Researching European social environmental research; Social environmental research at the national level; New researchers, new institutions; The evolution of ideas; The European dynamics of social environmental research; New agendas, new dynamics: charting the development of social environmental research.

The book is based on a research project 'New Networks, New Agendas: social environmental research in the European Union' which was funded by the European Commission's Directorate-General for Science, Research and Development, and coordinated by Michael Redclift, Professor of Human Geography and the Environment, King's College, London. It will be of special interest to those involved in social environmental research, environmental policy, European studies and research management whether at the practical and policy level or in academia.