ACCESS - Advancing Capacity for Climate  and Environment Social Science

Welcome

Increasing the Visibility & Impact of Environmental Social Science

ACCESS is a 5-year project which champions the role of social science in tackling environmental problems.

We increase the reach of environmental social science (ESS) – encouraging the use of ESS evidence and approaches within policymaking.

And we build capacity and confidence in environmental social scientists – supporting more meaningful collaboration across disciplines and sectors.

ACCESS directors Patrick Devine-Wright & Birgitta Gatersleben

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ACCESS Database

MEET OUR EXPERTS

Search or join our growing network of social scientists working in climate and the environment.

Clare Saunders
Clare Saunders

Professor in Politics

University of Exeter

Peter Bailey
Peter Bailey

Social Science Manager and Head of Social Science Profession

Environment Agency

Mandi Bissett
Mandi Bissett

Co-Director

The Southampton Collective CIC

Ruth Garside
Ruth Garside

Professor of Evidence Synthesis

University of Exeter

Rebecca Sandover
Rebecca Sandover

Lecturer

University of Exeter

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Guiding Principles

How we work

Three interconnected Guiding Principles guide how we work, and how we create and share knowledge:

  • Environmental Sustainability
  • Knowledge Co-production
  • Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Learn more about the ACCESS Guiding Principles and how you can apply them within your own research, practice and operations.

ACCESS Guiding Principles infographic - an illustration of children drawing chalk lines, all interconnecting, on the floor

Research areas

Themes

Explore ACCESS projects, task forces and resources by theme:

CLIMATE

Social science research and recommendations on net zero, adaptation and resilience, and governance.

NATURE

Environmental social science insights about nature recovery, biodiversity, and conservation policy and practice.

SUSTAINABILITY

Research looking at sustainable AI, energy, water, and more, through a social science lens.

INTERDISCIPLINARITY

Resources to support cross-disciplinary and cross-sector collaboration with and for environmental social scientists.

Our impact

Explore ACCESS

Quick links to key ACCESS resources, tools, training, and initiatives.

Stay connected

Sign up to our newsletter

Subscribe to our fortnightly newsletter for the latest events, jobs, funding and news from across the ACCESS Network.

Latest

News & Blogs

News, interviews and blogposts about ACCESS and environmental social science.

News ACCESS Director Birgitta Gatersleben elected Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences
13 MAR 2026

ACCESS Director Birgitta Gatersleben elected Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences

News Webinar: From place attachments to spatial imaginaries. Exploring geographies of energy transitions
9 MAR 2026

Webinar: From place attachments to spatial imaginaries. Exploring geographies of energy transitions

News Interdisciplinary Working: Co-producing a New Toolkit | Anita Lateano
6 MAR 2026

Interdisciplinary Working: Co-producing a New Toolkit | Anita Lateano

Blog Nnennaya Nwali’s justice-focused lens: keeping people at the centre of law, energy and the environmental debate
5 FEB 2026

Nnennaya Nwali’s justice-focused lens: keeping people at the centre of law, energy and the environmental debate