Governance

A Member-Driven Approach

From its inception, SocSES has been envisioned as a co-created, member-driven organization, actively involving members in shaping the society’s future. A variety of engagements with PECS, the Resilience Alliance (RA), and other networks have informed the society’s initial structure and activities.

During the 2-3 year founding period, we aim to co-design a long-term governance structure through member-driven task forces, thematic streams, and regional hubs. These structures will allow members to lead, participate, and contribute, ensuring SocSES remains adaptive, inclusive, and collaborative.

Transitional Governance Structure

To facilitate this founding phase, SocSES is governed by a Transition Team that ensures a smooth establishment of the society and lays the groundwork for long-term success.

Transition Team Responsibilities:

Provide strategic oversight, ensuring that foundational elements—such as membership models, task forces, and event offerings—are designed to meet the needs of a transdisciplinary SES community.
Enable a collaborative and co-created transition process.
Provide operational leadership through contributions from the directors of the Resilience Alliance and PECS networks.
Report to both the Resilience Alliance Board and the PECS Science Committee.

This team consists of the same individuals who have led the design, consultations, and initial set-up of SocSES, bringing a strong vision and deep commitment to the society.

Towards a Long-Term Governance Model

Significant thought has gone into structuring SocSES to balance broad inclusivity with sustained, small-group interactions that foster trust, collaboration, and innovation. While some elements are in place, many aspects of the governance structure will be co-developed through member-driven task forces and engagements during the founding phase.

Core Governance Principles

Collective Leadership & Decentralized Structures
SocSES is committed to an inclusive and decentralized governance model, allowing for diverse leadership styles and engagement approaches.
Thematic streams
Take advantage of online networking tools to allow members to get to know one another and engage around specific topics.
Early Career Researchers Hub
Led by early-career scholars, this hub provides a space for networking and collaboration among the next generation of SES leaders.
Institutional Hub
A platform for SES research and practice hubs and networks to collaborate, share insights on education programs and institutional structures, and influence global expert bodies.

Institutional Structure & Administration

SocSES is housed within the Resilience Alliance Inc., a Section 21 non-profit entity based in the USA.
After careful discussion, it was decided not to establish a separate legal entity due to the significant costs and administrative work involved.
As a founding partner, the Resilience Alliance provides legal and administrative support, while SocSES operates as an independent sub-entity, with separate financial and operational management.
This partnership creates opportunities for SocSES to collaborate with, attract, or launch new society-based journals in association with the Resilience Alliance on their publishing platform.

Future Governance Plans

In the next 1-2 years, SocSES will establish a Governing Board responsible for overseeing and managing the society’s activities.

The Governing Board will work closely with a Coordination Secretariat, which will handle the day-to-day management of SocSES.
The Secretariat will be supported by a combination of membership fees and grants to ensure long-term sustainability.