ACDI is a leading research hub focused on climate adaptation, resilience, and sustainable development. It integrates social-ecological systems research with policy and practice, offering interdisciplinary graduate programs and capacity-building initiatives.

Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE) is a globally recognised non-profit organisation focused on environmental conservation and sustainable, socially just development based in Bangalore India. ATREE engages in the generation and dissemination of rigorous interdisciplinary knowledge that informs and is informed by the needs of grassroots communities, policymakers and the wider public. It prioritises capacity-building for producing the next generation of scholars and leaders

SES education emphasizing systems thinking and resilience, shaping SES pedagogy and practice.SES research in ecology, social systems, and resilience-based sustainability science.

A multidisciplinary hub for SES research focusing on climate change, biodiversity, and sustainability transitions. Offers innovative sustainability education programs. Leadership in the ResNet program.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison provides a uniquely supportive institutional environment for SES research, characterized by low disciplinary boundaries and strong interdisciplinary collaboration. The university has long fostered innovative SES work across departments such as Sociology, Economics, Integrative Biology, Agronomy, Civil Engineering, and Forestry.

Researches SES resilience in agricultural systems, soil health, and water resource sustainability.

Focuses on SES research in agricultural systems, integrating climate adaptation, water sustainability, and socio-ecological resilience.

CAPES promotes interdisciplinary studies on biodiversity and sustainability policy. This university plays a pivotal role in SES research in Latin America, integrating climate adaptation, conservation, and sustainable development. It leads projects on ecosystem services, community-based conservation, and socio-ecological resilience. It offers graduate programs in sustainability science and collaborates with regional and global networks to enhance transdisciplinary SES education.

Leading SES hub in Africa; hosts SAPECS and PECS International Programme Office, contributing to SES dialogues. Research leaders on social-ecological resilience and transformations

SES research on coastal resilience, fisheries, and sustainability governance.

CSIRO is Australia’s premier scientific research agency, driving innovation in climate adaptation, ecosystem management, and sustainable development. It plays a key role in SES research through its land, water, and climate programs. CSIRO provides research training opportunities and partnerships with universities, industries, and policymakers to apply cutting-edge science to environmental and social challenges.

Conservation Initiatives is a research-driven organization focusing on biodiversity conservation, ecosystem services, and community-based natural resource management. It conducts interdisciplinary research, policy engagement, and capacity-building initiatives to strengthen conservation efforts in India.

CSIR is a multidisciplinary research institution focusing on environmental sustainability, biodiversity conservation, and water security. It supports SES research by integrating ecological, technological, and social innovations to enhance resilience in African landscapes. CSIR also provides postgraduate training, research internships, and policy engagement on sustainable resource management.

SES research on marine and coastal resilience, ecosystem-based management, and Arctic sustainability.

Researches SES under climate change, ecosystem-based adaptation, and sustainable land management.

Conducts SES research on rural development, natural resource governance, and climate resilience. Offers undergraduate and graduate programs in sustainability.

Broad sustainability and SES research, integrating climate, ecosystems, and social sciences.

A pioneer in SES education, this center advances sustainability learning and transformative environmental education. It offers training programs for educators, researchers, and practitioners, focusing on socio-ecological resilience and sustainability transitions.

NEPAM has over 35 years of experience in social-ecological systems research, hosting the interdisciplinary Ph.D. Program in Environment and Society for over 20 years. In 2024, NEPAM hosted the São Paulo School of Advanced Science (SPSAS) on Transdisciplinarity for Transformative Change involving 80 young scientists from 30 countries to address social-ecological problems. (https://www.nepam.unicamp.br/spsas-transdisciplinarity/)

Advances sustainability through transformative research, teaching, and community engagement. The ESRC engages transdisciplinary approaches to understanding and managing interactions between social and ecological systems, including reconciling conservation and sustainable use, and approaches that support equitable and just transformations. Linked to the ResNet project.

Conducts SES research on forest conservation, land-use change, and ecosystem management. Offers graduate training in sustainability and environmental governance.

Leads SES research in Northern Europe, focusing on biodiversity, ecosystem resilience, and climate adaptation. Offers graduate programs in sustainability science.

Research on forest SES, tropical forest conservation and management, and nature-based solutions. Engages in policy-oriented research on sustainable land management.

The German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv), through its sDiv programme, has supported SES research by facilitating interdisciplinary synthesis working groups that integrate biodiversity, ecosystem services, and social-ecological resilience. By providing a platform for global collaboration, comparative analyses, and methodological advancements, sDiv has strengthened SES research networks and fostered cross-disciplinary exchange.

A leading SES research centre in Africa, the Global Change Institute conducts interdisciplinary research on climate change, biodiversity, socio-ecological resilience, and sustainable development. It provides training for early-career researchers, engages in transdisciplinary projects, and collaborates with international sustainability networks to bridge science, policy, and practice.

SES research on ecological economics, ecosystem services, and sustainability science.

SES research integrating Indigenous and local knowledge into conservation and sustainability initiatives.

SES research on biodiversity conservation, ecosystem services, and climate adaptation. Provides scientific expertise for environmental policy.

IGES conducts SES research on sustainability transitions, climate change adaptation, and ecosystem-based management. It works with policymakers and researchers to develop integrated strategies for social-ecological resilience in Asia.

ISOE is one of the leading independent institutes for sustainability research for over 30 years, developing scientific bases and future oriented concepts for politics, civil society and the economy – regionally, nationally and internationally.

A leading research institute advancing SES research on land use, environmental sustainability, and resource management. It integrates geographic sciences, remote sensing, and spatial analysis to support sustainable development in China and globally.

A key European center for SES research, the University of Bern specializes in socio-ecological resilience, adaptation, and transdisciplinary sustainability science. It has research initiatives on mountain ecosystems, climate change, and conservation governance. The university offers interdisciplinary master’s and PhD programs linking environmental science with policy and practice.

Interdisciplinary SES programs and transdisciplinary projrects emphasizing biodiversity, ecosystem services, and community-based approaches. Strong focus on integrating local knowledge and interdisciplinary methods into its academic programs.

SES research on Himalayan sustainability, climate adaptation, and transboundary water governance.

IIASA is a globally recognized institute advancing SES research through systems analysis, policy modeling, and scenario planning. It addresses challenges like climate adaptation, energy transitions, and land-use governance. IIASA offers postdoctoral fellowships, doctoral programs, and summer schools for young researchers engaged in sustainability science.

James Cook University is a leader in SES research on tropical ecosystems, marine resilience, and environmental governance. It houses the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies and runs programs on biodiversity conservation, Indigenous knowledge, and climate adaptation. The university provides master’s and PhD training in environmental sustainability, resilience, and marine science.

Research on human-environment interactions, Indigenous SES knowledge, and socio-ecological transformations.

SES research on urban resilience, conservation strategies, and sustainability policy.

A leading hub for socio-environmental research, LCSES at the University of Luxembourg integrates environmental and social sciences to address sustainability challenges. The centre develops innovative interdisciplinary approaches to governance, resilience, and human-environment interactions. It collaborates with European and international partners to produce policy-relevant research and offers graduate training programs in environmental sustainability.

Ma-RIS conducts interdisciplinary SES research on marine and coastal systems, fisheries sustainability, ocean governance, and climate change impacts. It collaborates with policymakers, coastal communities, and international networks to advance marine conservation.

Integrates SES research across land use, resilience, and community sustainability. Houses the Center for Systems Integration and Sustainability.

Interdisciplinary SES synthesis research, integrating ecologists, social scientists, and policymakers.

SES research on valuing ecosystem services and integrating nature into decision-making.

The School of Earth and Sustainability at Northern Arizona University integrates SES research with climate resilience, Indigenous resource governance, and sustainability science. It offers interdisciplinary graduate programs and collaborates with regional conservation initiatives.

SES research on marine conservation, ocean governance, and fisheries sustainability. Works closely with policymakers to develop solutions for ocean resilience.

Pioneering SES research on commons governance and institutions.

Advances interdisciplinary climate impact research, contributing to SES by developing knowledge and solutions for global sustainability and a just climate future. PIK connects biophysical and social systems research to inform SES-based policies and practices.

Interdisciplinary SES research integrating science, culture, and policy for sustainability.

One of Africa’s first academic departments dedicated to SES, Rhodes University integrates ecological sustainability, land use, and integrated conservation management. It provides specialized undergraduate and graduate programs in social-ecological resilience, natural resource governance, and sustainability transitions.

A world-renowned hub for complex adaptive systems research, SFI applies complexity science to SES, resilience theory, and sustainability transitions. It develops cutting-edge methodologies for modeling socio-ecological dynamics and provides advanced training through workshops, summer schools, and fellowships for interdisciplinary scholars.

SES research on environmental policy, climate adaptation, and natural resource governance. Provides interdisciplinary graduate training in sustainability science. Linked to the ResNet Project.

One of the first dedicated schools for SES research, focusing on urban resilience, governance, and sustainability transitions. Offers undergraduate, master’s, and PhD programs in sustainability science.

Simon Fraser University is home to SES research initiatives focused on environmental governance, biodiversity conservation, and urban resilience. It offers graduate programs in sustainability and engages in transdisciplinary research on social-ecological change.

Interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary SES research with a focus on sustainability challenges and governance.

SANParks integrates SES research into conservation planning and adaptive management. It manages South Africa’s national parks, supporting biodiversity conservation, ecological monitoring, and community-based sustainability initiatives.

Advances SES research in Latin America through innovative arts-science collaborations, interdisciplinary studies, and transformative research. SARAS has fostered knowledge exchange, developed diagnostic tools, and influenced regional policies on sustainability while continuing to build regional research capacity. Its contributions also include innovative interdisciplinary approaches to resilience and sustainability, emphasizing the role of cultural and artistic perspectives in SES.

Stanford integrates SES research across multiple disciplines, focusing on sustainability science, ecosystem services, and environmental policy. Its Natural Capital Project and Woods Institute for the Environment pioneer applied SES methodologies. Stanford offers graduate and executive education programs in resilience, conservation finance, and adaptive governance.

Leading SES hub in Africa; hosts SAPECS and PECS International Programme Office, contributing to SES dialogues.

Transdisciplinary research on resilience, SES governance, ecosystem services, and sustainability.

The Sustainability Research Unit conducts SES research on coastal sustainability, ecosystem services, and transdisciplinary problem-solving. It collaborates with policymakers and local communities to promote resilience-based management.

Focuses on SES research in remote and Indigenous communities, sustainability education, and ecosystem services.

SES research on marine resource management, sustainable fisheries, and ocean governance in the Baltic Sea region.

UFZ is one of Europe’s leading environmental research institutes, advancing SES knowledge on land use, water management, and biodiversity conservation. It employs interdisciplinary approaches to integrate ecological, economic, and social dimensions of sustainability. UFZ provides doctoral training, sustainability research fellowships, and large-scale European collaborations on resilience and governance.

SES research on sustainability, resilience, and adaptive management in global change contexts.

Research on sustainability, urban SES, and environmental justice. UAM Cuajimalpa has two relevant laboratories, one on Socio-Territorial Studies (LAST), developing research on spatial analysis and statistics, and another one on Cities in Transitions (LABCiT), dealing with future studies, Transformative Change in Social Ecological Systems, Food and Urban systems, and social ecological resilience.

UBC is a global leader in SES research, focusing on sustainability science, ecosystem-based management, and urban resilience. It leads SES education through its Institute for Resources, Environment, and Sustainability (IRES) and offers graduate training in climate adaptation, Indigenous knowledge systems, and resilience-based planning.

NEPAM has over 35 years of experience in social-ecological systems research, hosting the interdisciplinary Ph.D. Program in Environment and Society for over 20 years. In 2024, NEPAM hosted the São Paulo School of Advanced Science (SPSAS) on Transdisciplinarity for Transformative Change involving 80 young scientists from 30 countries to address social-ecological problems. (https://www.nepam.unicamp.br/spsas-transdisciplinarity/)

The University of Guelph advances SES research through its interdisciplinary programs on biodiversity, agroecosystems, and environmental governance. It collaborates with conservation organizations and policymakers to apply SES principles in practice.

Interdisciplinary SES research on sustainable transitions, ecosystem services, and environmental justice. Offers master’s and PhD programs in sustainability.

SES research on Indigenous knowledge, social justice, memory, and resilience learning from disasters.

A leader in SES research on land change science, coupled human-natural systems, and policy impacts, the University of Maryland houses the former SESYNC (Socio-Environmental Synthesis Center). It continues to offer interdisciplinary research training, graduate programs in sustainability, and collaborations with SES networks worldwide.

The interdisciplinary research centre focuses on the complexities of human-environmental systems emphasizing the interconnectedness of nature and society. Their mission is to understand the impacts of environmental changes, to identify associated problems, and to develop innovative solutions. Employing a range of methods from fields such as mathematics, computer science, natural sciences, economics, and social sciences supports to build a robust understanding of these coupled systems. They are committed to training students and early career researchers by providing specialized knowledge and a comprehensive view of environmental issues in a BSc and MSc program ‘System Science’ and ‘Environmental systems and resource management’.

The University of Tokyo is a leader in SES research, focusing on social-ecological production landscapes, climate adaptation, and sustainability science. It offers graduate programs that integrate SES principles with environmental policy and governance.

The University of Victoria conducts SES research on marine conservation, Indigenous sustainability governance, and climate adaptation. It offers interdisciplinary graduate training and collaborates with coastal communities on resilience-based management.

A leader in socio-environmental research, sustainability, and land-use planning, focusing on resilience in human-environment systems. Offers interdisciplinary graduate programs integrating ecological and social sciences.

Vrije University has a strong SES research focus on governance, ecosystem services, and sustainability science. It is home to leading programs on environmental policy, adaptive governance, and resilience research. The university offers master’s and PhD programs integrating ecological and social sciences for sustainability transitions.

A research center dedicated to water governance, hydrological SES research, and sustainable water resource management. It engages in policy-oriented research and provides postgraduate training on water security in South Africa.

SociECOS studies the dynamics of social-ecological systems focuses on understanding the relationships existing between nature and society, analyzing either the contributions made by biodiversity to human wellbeing (i.e., ecosystem services) or the human actions that, through institutions, affect the ecosystems integrity. We have recognized that human wellbeing depends partly upon the ecosystems, as well as, the ecosystem conservation depends on human behavior and governance processes.