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, Photo by Leigh Farmer

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ACCESS Database

MEET OUR EXPERTS

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

Julie Rostan
Julie Rostan

Research Fellow

University of Aberdeen

Ian Walker
Ian Walker

Professor and Head of School

Swansea University

Benjamin Sovacool
Benjamin Sovacool

Professor of Energy Policy

University of Sussex

Kerry Waylen
Kerry Waylen

Deputy Director, International Land Use Study Centre

James Hutton Institute

Iain Soutar
Iain Soutar

Senior 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 directors contribute to new POST briefing on public engagement with the energy transition
22 APR 2026

ACCESS directors contribute to new POST briefing on public engagement with the energy transition

Blog Carbon emissions reduced by 93% – How we made the ACCESS website more sustainable, accessible and inclusive 
20 APR 2026

Carbon emissions reduced by 93% – How we made the ACCESS website more sustainable, accessible and inclusive 

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