Thematic Streams
Central to the society’s activities will be Thematic Streams: collaborative networks led by dedicated working groups. These streams will drive SocSES’s mission by advancing innovative social-ecological systems research, fostering interdisciplinary connections, and creating impactful scientific and policy contributions.
SocSES will launch in early 2025 and is looking for leaders of thematic streams!
We invite proposals for initial thematic streams from working groups that will coordinate these streams for an initial three-year term (2025–2027). Each thematic stream will focus on a specific area of interest relevant to social-ecological research and practice, with society members able to sign up for streams that align with their interests.
Each working group, consisting of 5–10 members with two co-leads, will take the lead in organizing activities, producing outputs, and guiding the stream’s direction.
To support this work, SocSES aims to secure funding for an in-person meeting of working groups in 2026. We strongly encourage working groups that reflect diversity in career stages, geography, and representation from the Global South.

Why convene a working group to run a thematic stream?
- Each thematic stream will be led by a working group of 5-10 members. The proposal should specify who these WG members are (WG leads may choose to change some of their membership over time). We encourage diverse teams that bring together different career stages, disciplines, and perspectives from across the globe.
- Working group members of a Thematic Stream will be expected to work collaboratively on cutting-edge SES research areas and produce at least one journal article or other peer-reviewed publication over the three-year period.
- Working groups will also be expected to host three to five activities per year for members of the society who sign up to the thematic stream. These activities can be different instances of the same activity (e.g. three webinars during the year).We encourage creativity (see suggestion box), but activities should first and foremost be practical.
- Each working group should have two co-leads and working group members may participate in a maximum of two thematic working groups within the society
- Co-leads may lead only one working group at a time.
- The society’s central coordination team will develop and support the virtual infrastructure to support thematic theme activities, such as a discussion forum and mailing lists (these could be used to advertise activities among thematic stream members) support with communication, as well as platforms to run webinars, virtual discussions etc. (most likely Zoom). Please get in touch with us if you are unsure how the society would support your envisioned activity.
- Whilst most activities will be virtual, we aim to look for funding to support one working group meeting in early 2026.
Why convene a working group to run a thematic stream?
• Thematic streams will serve as the heartbeat of our emerging society, playing a vital role both during our initial phase and in our long-term development.
• The society’s broader structure and processes will be co-designed with members over the next two to three years, but thematic working groups will drive intellectual engagement and activities from day one.
• Leading a thematic stream offers an exciting opportunity to shape the SES research agenda while building a vibrant community of researchers and practitioners around your thematic area.
• As a stream leader, your group will have the chance to convene scholars and practitioners, foster new collaborations, and advance cutting-edge thinking on critical sustainability challenges.
• The embedded working group structure provides a platform to develop joint academic outputs while creating meaningful engagement opportunities for the broader membership through your proposed activities.
• This is an ideal opportunity for researchers and practitioners who want to take a leadership role in SES research and the new Society, in building new communities of practice, and bridging different approaches and perspectives.

Working group structure and objectives
- Each thematic stream will be led by a working group of 5-10 members. The proposal should specify who these WG members are (WG leads may choose to change some of their membership over time). We encourage diverse teams that bring together different career stages, disciplines, and perspectives from across the globe.
- Working group members of a Thematic Stream will be expected to work collaboratively on cutting-edge SES research areas and produce at least one journal article or other peer-reviewed publication over the three-year period.
- Working groups will also be expected to host three to five activities per year for members of the society who sign up to the thematic stream. These activities can be different instances of the same activity (e.g. three webinars during the year).We encourage creativity (see suggestion box), but activities should first and foremost be practical.
- Each working group should have two co-leads and working group members may participate in a maximum of two thematic working groups within the society
- Co-leads may lead only one working group at a time.
- The society’s central coordination team will develop and support the virtual infrastructure to support thematic theme activities, such as a discussion forum and mailing lists (these could be used to advertise activities among thematic stream members) support with communication, as well as platforms to run webinars, virtual discussions etc. (most likely Zoom). Please get in touch with us if you are unsure how the society would support your envisioned activity.
- Whilst most activities will be virtual, we aim to look for funding to support one working group meeting in early 2026.
- Activities: Organize at least three engagement activities annually for thematic stream members
- Communication: Maintain an active presence on the society’s communication channels by posting at least once a month to the thematic stream’s forum and mailing list (these will be created and supported by the society).
- Scientific and Practical Outputs: Work towards at least one peer-reviewed publication or policy-practice process in a group.
Broader Stream Members
Lead the working group’s research agenda and produce working group outputs, organize activities for the thematic stream.
Engage with stream activities and discussions as participants.
3-year term, regular engagements, plus leading 3–5 activities per year.
Flexible participation; engage in activities of interest.
Responsible for planning and facilitating activities, e.g., seminars, hackathons.
Attend and participate in activities such as seminars or workshops.
Produce at least one peer-reviewed publication or output over three years.
Can contribute ideas and expertise during collaborative activities.
Maintain a monthly presence on stream forums, sharing updates and coordinating activities.
Receive updates via forums and emails, with optional engagement.
Purpose
Commitment
3-year term, regular engagements, plus leading 3–5 activities per year.
Activities
Responsible for planning and facilitating activities, e.g., seminars, hackathons.
Outputs
Produce at least one peer-reviewed publication or output over three years.
Communication
Maintain a monthly presence on stream forums, sharing updates and coordinating activities.
Broader Stream Members
Purpose
Engage with stream activities and discussions as participants.
Commitment
Flexible participation; engage in activities of interest.
Activities
Attend and participate in activities such as seminars or workshops.
Outputs
Can contribute ideas and expertise during collaborative activities.
Communication
Receive updates via forums and emails, with optional engagement.
Working groups should organize at least three activities for their thematic stream annually. Some examples of activities are suggested below, but these are merely examples. Don’t hesitate to get more creative, but also similarly don’t feel that tried-and-tested approaches (such as webinars) are not welcome!
Some examples of such activities are:
Knowledge Exchange
- Seminar/Webinar Series: Regular sessions featuring expert speakers on stream-specific topics (similar to the PECS Collaborative Governance series)
- Skills Workshops: Interactive training on methodologies, tools, or techniques (e.g., participatory research, GIS applications, modelling)
- Expert Roundtables: Small-group discussions in virtual breakout rooms exploring pressing issues within the theme
- Policy-Practice Dialogues: Structured engagement with non-academic stakeholders to bridge research and application
- Reading Groups: Inter- and transdisciplinary discussions of key literature, frameworks, and emerging concepts
Collaborative Innovation
- Research Incubators: Short-term sprints or hackathons for developing new research ideas and tools
- Digital Innovation Labs: Bringing together coders, designers, and researchers to create tools supporting SES research
- Collaborative Platforms: Spaces for crowdsourcing ideas, sharing data, and co-creating outputs like briefs and guidelines
- Cross-sector Mentoring: Connecting early-career researchers with professionals outside academia (e.g., Indigenous leaders, policy-makers, business innovators)
- Pop-up Labs: Temporary research or innovation spaces at conferences or public venues for live engagement
Creative Engagement
- Virtual Field Trips: Immersive experiences (e.g., using VR) showcasing real-world social-ecological dynamics
- Interactive Games: Role-playing exercises or simulations exploring SES decision-making and trade-offs
- Film Forums: Curated screenings of documentaries and films with expert-led discussions
- Story Banks: Collecting and sharing personal narratives about social-ecological research impact through blogs or podcasts
- Audio Journeys: Curated soundscape experiences exploring human-nature connections
- Innovation Sharing: “Fail Fest” events celebrating learning from unsuccessful projects
Apply Now
Application Timeline and Process
To facilitate connections and early networking, we are running a two-phase process.


Phase 1: Optional Expression of Interest & Connection Event
As a first, optional step, please complete an “Expression of Interest” (EOI) form. This brief form is designed to gather a snapshot of proposed thematic streams and identify shared interests across applicants. You can still submit a full proposal if you don’t submit an EOI form.
You can see what ideas for thematic streams people have submitted, and get in contact with people with similar interests here. If you submit an “Expression of Interest” form, your idea will be added to the slide-deck.
Phase 2: Full Application (Deadline 31 January)
The full application requires the thematic stream title, names and details of co-leads and proposed members (including their expertise and confirmation of participation), a 200-word summary of the stream’s focus, up to five keywords, a 350-word description of the research problem and approach, a 250-word outline of planned academic outputs and timeline, a list of 3–5 proposed activities with brief descriptions (150 words each), and short CVs (up to two pages) for each co-lead in PDF format.
Proposals will be evaluated by members of the society’s transition team.
Apply online here
Contact Us
If you have any questions about this call, the application process, or the role of thematic streams and working groups, please don’t hesitate to reach out at info@socses.org.
We look forward to supporting you in your application and collaboration!