9th Conference of the European Sociological Association
European Society or European Societies?
Lisbon, 2-5 September 2009
Call for Papers
Research Network 12 `Environment and Society'
The Environment & Society Research Network of the European Sociological Association (ESA) brings together social scientists with a research interest in issues of environment and sustainability.
There can be little doubt that environmental and sustainability concerns will strongly affect the European societies of the 21st century. In the last few years, concerns about climate change have become prominent on political and public agendas, and other environmental concerns, such as biodiversity degradation, water
management, and urban air pollution demand urgent attention as well. To respond to these challenges as sociologists, it is necessary to cut across traditional categories and boundaries in more than one way. While the state continues to be an important level of environmental policy and management, it is clear that global
institutions as well as 'subpolitics' are instrumental in coping with environmental change. Not only NGOs, but also consumers and commercial organizations are key actors in bringing about effective environmental reforms. Moreover, it has become apparent that environmental improvement on a global scale can only succeed if it goes hand in hand with socio-economic development and justice. In the domain of theory, the iron categories of the social and the physical are increasingly transcended, or at least disputed.
In the RN 12 sessions at the ESA conference in Lisbon, we aim to explore these issues from a theoretical point of view and, no less important, in a more practical perspective of societal action. We invite you submit papers for these session.
Topics to be addressed in the RN 12 sessions include:
1. Social theory and the environment
2. Social dimensions of climate change
3. Planet, profit and ...? Discussing the social pillar of sustainability
4. Consumerism and environment
5. Biotechnology, GMOs and the social sciences
6. Sustainable development of food chains
7. Environmental attitudes, citizen mobilization, and social movement.
8. Participation, citizenship and environmental democracy.
9. Science, uncertainty and environmental decision-making.
10. Biodiversity and nature protection between global and local concerns
11. Governance of water and social dimensions of water management
12. Education for sustainability and social learning
13. Corporate governance and corporate social responsibility
14. Environmental justice
Additionally, two joint sessions are planned in cooperation with RN 8, Disaster and Social Crisis.
1. Environment, Disasters and Politics,
RN 8 and RN 12 invite paper/poster/ media presentations on the links between environmental politics and "natural" disasters (such as coastal or inland floods, earthquakes, hurricanes/typhoons , heat waves, snowstorms, landslides, drought etc.). Central themes of the session will be (1) the perception of the links between environmental conditions, politics, and "natural disasters" by governments, policy
makers, NGOs and citizens; (2) the roles of ENGOs at grassroots and (inter)national levels in the design and implementation of short-term interventions and long-term policies for coping with "natural" disasters; (3) the ways communities deal with "natural" disasters in their daily life, in contexts of culture, economy, and politics.
2. Environmental Crisis, Social Vulnerability and Migration RN8 and RN12 invite paper/poster/ media presentations on the links between environmental crisis, social vulnerability and processes of migration. We welcome contributions on (1) which particular conjunctions of natural and social, economic and political forces produce the environmental and social vulnerabilities of environmental refugees (2) what are the social, economic, and political effects of environmental migration.
We are open to proposals for additional topics, as far as they can be accommodated in the conference schedule. Authors from outside of Europe are also welcome to participate in the sessions.
The deadline for submitting abstracts is 26 February 2009. Abstracts should be 200-350 words and need to be submitted through the conference website. If your abstract is accepted, full papers must be submitted by 15 July 2009 at the latest. Please visit the conference site http://www.esa9thco nference. com for further instructions on abstract submission.
Abstracts will be reviewed by a panel according to the following criteria:
- Does the abstract indicate that the paper will make an original, understandable, and meaningful contribution to environment and society debates?
- If the paper mainly presents new empirical evidence: is it clear from the abstract upon which research this evidence is based and what conclusions are drawn for environment and society debates?
- If the paper mainly presents new theoretical considerations: is it clear from the abstract which existing theories and concepts the paper is in discussion with, and which new insights will be added to the debates?
For proposals for session topics and other questions or comments, you can contact the RN 12 Coordinator. Abstracts, however, should be submitted through the conference site only.
Coordinator RN 12: Kris van Koppen
Social Sciences Department, Wageningen University
Hollandseweg 1, 6706 KN Wageningen, The Netherlands
E-mail: kris.vankoppen@ wur.nl
Website Environment & Society Research Network (ESN): www.esa-esn. org
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