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 are co-designing a long-term governance structure through member-driven task forces, thematic streams, and regional hubs. These structures allow members to lead, participate, and contribute, ensuring SocSES remains adaptive, inclusive, and collaborative.
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 and decentralised structures
SocSES is committed to an inclusive and decentralised 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 Hub
Led by early-career SES researchers and practitioners, 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.
Transitional Governance Structure
To facilitate this founding phase, SocSES is governed by an Interim Governance Team that ensures a smooth establishment of the Society and lays the groundwork for long-term success. The Interim Governance Team reports to the Resilience Alliance Board and the PECS Science Committee.
Interim Governance 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 co-chairs and directors of PECS and the Resilience Alliance – 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.
Interim Governance Team
Elena Bennett
SocSES Interim Governance Team Co-Chair
Professor and Canada Research Chair in Sustainability Science, McGill University, Montréal, Canada
Reinette (Oonsie) Biggs
SocSES Interim Governance Team Co-Chair
Professor and Co-Director, Centre for Sustainability Transitions, Stellenbosch University, South Africa; Researcher, Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm University, Sweden
Alta De Vos
SocSES Science Director
Associate Professor, Centre for Sustainability Transitions, Stellenbosch University, South Africa
Berta Martín-López
Professor of Sustainability Science, Leuphana University of Lüneburg, Germany
Albert Norström
Science Director, Earth Commission; Associate Professor, Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm University, Sweden
Garry Peterson
Resilience Alliance Board Co-Chair
Professor, Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm University, Sweden
Allyson Quinlan
SocSES Executive Director
Executive Director, Resilience Alliance, Canada
Michael Schoon
Resilience Alliance Board Co-Chair
Associate Professor, School of Sustainability, Arizona State University, USA
Coordination Hub
Alta De Vos
Science Director
Associate Professor, Centre for Sustainability Transitions, Stellenbosch University, South Africa
Allyson Quinlan
Executive Director
Executive Director, Resilience Alliance, Canada
Liebrecht Fick
Community Coordinator
Research Fellow, Centre for Sustainability Transitions, Stellenbosch University, South Africa
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 the Coordination Hub, which handles the day-to-day management of SocSES.
- The Coordination Hub is supported by a combination of membership fees and grants to ensure long-term sustainability.