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.

  • International Conference "Sustainable Consumption - Towards Action and Impact", 06. - 08.11.2011

    The conference aims at promoting the interdisciplinary academic discourse on issues concerning sustainable consumption. The focus is on consumer behaviour, its social and cultural embeddedness, and its interdependencies with economic, physical and political frameworks. Researchers from different disciplines and studying different fields of consumption are addressed and invited to present results from disciplinary, interdisciplinary, and transdisciplinary research on sustainable consumption. more (URL: http://www.sozial-oekologische-forschung.org/en/SustainableConsumption2011.php)

  • Social Dimensions of Climate Protection and Climate Change

    The topic "Social Dimensions of Climate Protection and Climate Change" addresses an area of social concern that is hugely topical. To this end, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research is funding 12 projects. more (URL: http://www.sozial-oekologische-forschung.org/en/1344.php)

  • Junior Research Groups

    Thirteen young researchers selected in the second call for junior research groups under the SÖF funding programme began setting up scientific research groups and detailing the specific subjects for their projects in 2008. The four-year funding period for these research projects began in 2009. The work done by these junior researchers will revolve in particular around climate protection, biodiversity and developing background information for use by the political sector. more (URL: http://www.sozial-oekologische-forschung.org/en/714.php)

  • BMBF-Brochure "Climate Protection Demands Action"

    Climate change impacts not only the environment, people and their living conditions, it also affects their options for the future. The brochure "Climate Protection Demands Action" outlines the input, ideas and impetus provided by Social-Ecological Research programme. more (URL: http://www.sozial-oekologische-forschung.org/en/1384.php)

  • From Knowledge to Action - New Paths towards Sustainable Consumption

    Despite considerable knowledge regarding the necessity of sustainable consumption patterns and a broad range of measures in the field of consumer information there cannot be recognized a general trend towards sustainable consumption within the society. Since 2008 the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research has been funding ten research projects focusing on this complex issue. more (URL: http://www.sozial-oekologische-forschung.org/en/947.php)

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