– Working with civil society provides researchers an opportunity to support social causes while working on their research, describes ACCC Research Coordinator Rosa Rantanen. It also provides a chance to develop professional connections and skills that are needed when working with different stakeholder groups.
NGOs and other civil society actors are also welcome to contact ACCC for ideas and questions. The main aim of the collaborations is improving the social impact of climate research to support climate change mitigation and adaptation. The work is based on mutual learning. In addition to providing scientific knowledge by e.g. giving presentations, researchers are encouraged to design practicalsolutions together with NGOs, take part in workshops, learn from NGOs, and gain new perspectives to the social impact of research on a practical level.
Survey maps out researchers’ point of view
During the past few months, ACCC has been actively contacting NGO representatives and other civil society experts to find shared goals and themes. ACCC researchers’ interests are currently mapped out to create a pool of experts that can be contacted regarding civil society-related activities. To help us create interesting and impactful opportunities, researchers are encouraged to take a brief survey. You do not automatically commit to any activity by submitting the form but you will get information about further opportunities. The survey is open until February 28th.
Join the discussion on a safer climate
To widen the scope of ACCCs natural scientific focus, the emphasis of civil society collaborations is on human-climate interactions and on the theme ‘safe climate’. This includes exploring civil society’s role in the more general discussion on comprehensive climate security. Safety can be interpreted in several ways that allow experts from different fields to take part in the discussion. Being familiar or interested in climate safety as a concept is not a precondition for participating in civil society collaborations.
– A broad understanding of safety covers different approaches such as preparedness and crisis resilience, extreme weather events, sustainable development, health and social issues, climate justice, psychological safety and creating a safer space for discussing climate change, Rantanen explains. These approaches are often overlapping and the actors work together in real life, she adds. This broad theme enables together experts from natural sciences, social sciences and humanities, grassroot level NGOs and international humanitarian organizations.
ACCC is currently looking for researchers, civil society workers and experienced volunteers to participate in the workshop Climate Safety, Research and Civil Society on May 18th, 2022. The workshop is part of Sustainability Science Days 2022 organized by Helsinki Institute of Sustainability Science HELSUS. Learn more and submit your application here, no scientific abstract required (session 7).
Contact
Rosa Rantanen, D Soc Sc, Research Coordinator, INAR, University of Helsinki, rosa.rantanen(a)helsinki.fi, +358503360785