What We Do
At SocSES, we believe in the power of connection and co-creation. To foster the intimate collaborative environment that has characterized the SES field, our activities are largely run on smaller collaborative groups within the society. These collaborations are facilitated by a custom-built membership platform that has been specifically designed to support collaboration, learning and innovation through online seminars and discussions, resources and discussion forums.
These collaborative groups are focused around particular thematic streams and regional hubs. We also have an early career hub, and an institutional hub for research institutes, networks, and NGOs who are institutional members of the society.
The collaborative groups which SocSES members can participate in include:
Thematic Streams
Collaborative networks led by dedicated working groups that enable collaboration and learning on particular topics. Most streams involve several closely-related working groups, and aim to foster exchange and interaction.
Regional Hubs
Aim to connect people working in particular regions, supporting place-based work and learning within specific contexts. The regional hubs help amplify local voices and link contextual regional expertise to global sustainability efforts.
Early Career Hub
Supports emerging scholars through mentorship, skills-building, and leadership opportunities. It provides a vibrant community for early-career members to connect, collaborate, and actively shape the SES field while fostering their professional development.
Institutional Hub
Provides a space for research institutes, networks, and NGOs who are institutional members of the society to collaborate on shared challenges and take collective leadership to advance the field. This hub builds partnerships that align institutional efforts with global SES goals, strengthening the connection between research, policy, and practice.
Task Forces
Time-bound, member-driven groups focused on addressing strategic priorities and urgent challenges. These groups lead efforts in governance, strategy, equity, and pressing research-policy-practice issues, ensuring SocSES remains adaptive and responsive.
In addition to these collaborative hubs, we run several society-wide activities:
- Quarterly Webinars: Featuring leading voices in SES research and practice.
- Workshops and Training Courses: Targeted programs to build skills in SES methodologies and transdisciplinary approaches. In 2025, we plan to offer an online course for early career members in the second half of the year.
- Gatherings and Conferences: Opportunities to connect, share insights, and shape the SES field’s future. We aim to run a science meeting of SocSES working groups in 2026, and a conference in 2027.
