Social-ecological Research

Social-ecological Research aims to develop strategies in order to solve social sustainability issues connecting ecological transformation of the society with social justice and economic demands.

Since 1999 the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) has been funding Social-ecological Research (SÖF). This research programme develops strategies for solving precise societal sustainability issues: e.g. strategies for implementing the German policy of an "agricultural turnaround" (policy measures towards an organic food market), for improving the nutrition of the population, for liberalizing net-related supply and disposal systems (e.g. water, energy) and for trading with emissions. This kind of research requires the cooperation between natural and social scientists and involves social players (e.g. consumers, local authorities, businesses and NGOs). The aim of the research programme is to promote sustainable development, that is, ecological transformation of the society, without losing sight of social justice and economic concerns.

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  Brochures

  The updated framework concept of Social-ecological Research including all essential information about the funding programme is now available as paper edition or download. more (URL: http://www.sozial-oekologische-forschung.org/en/801.php)
   
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  From Knowledge to Action - New Paths towards Sustainable Consumption

  The German Federal Ministry of Education and Research will shortly fund ten research projects dealing with the complex issue why people may support the approach of sustainable consumption,however, do not implement it into their daily routines. more (URL: http://www.sozial-oekologische-forschung.org/en/947.php)
   
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  Strategies for Coping with Systemic Risks

  Since 2006 the funding programme Social-Ecological Research has been focusing on strategies for coping with systemic risks. Five projects selected by an expert committee deal with explosive issues such as overweight and obesity in teenagers, drinking water contamination through pharmaceuticals, or the co-existence of agriculture with and without genetically modified plants.  more (URL: http://www.sozial-oekologische-forschung.org/en/626.php)