The Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) and Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), invite you to apply for a place at their upcoming online event to explore how to co-create their new programme, Hidden Histories of Environmental Science.
Once it opens, proposals are expected to take an interdisciplinary approach bringing together environmental scientists as well as arts and humanities researchers and practitioners to form substantial research collaborations. These collaborations will seek to understand and acknowledge how the future of modern environmental science can be informed by the past, in particular the relationship between the sector and its underpinning colonial history, and how different cultural perceptions of environmental science can be incorporated today. As a result, practical actions could then be identified to allow AHRC, NERC and the environmental science community might take to respond to society’s evolving outlooks and attitudes, in line with delivering NERC’s Responsible Business Statement.
As part of the plan for this research programme, AHRC and NERC will run a consultation event over two mornings – Tuesday 16 and Wednesday 17 March 2021 – bringing together a diverse group of people to consider plans and help shape the programme going forward.
A series of interactive, facilitated discussions using online tools will guide delegates to:
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Unearth different perspectives on the challenges and opportunities of the emerging programme, and identify how these can shape our future plans.
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Build capacity and capability in researchers for interdisciplinary working, research partnerships and planning for impact, while also identifying additional capacity building, training and development needs that can be built through this programme.
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Create opportunities for potential applicants to begin to build partnerships, setting the tone for respectful and equitable approaches, and providing an opportunity for potential collaborators to meet each other.
With diversity in mind, we will ensure a balance of different perspectives, disciplines, expertise and affiliations alongside potential funding applicants and non-applicants. We will welcome those from research backgrounds including old and new research organisations, practitioners, community organisations (such as learned societies, environment and diversity groups), specialists in equality, diversity and inclusion and broader stakeholders (including from business, third sector, government). A summary report after the event will be openly published and available to everyone, including those who do not attend the event.
Main research synopsis of the emerging programme
- To what extent has colonial and other history, exclusion and social injustice influenced how the environmental science research sector presents cultures and issues including around race, racism and representation and intersectionality?
- How do key people, places or issues in the colonial past of environmental science research compare with those shaped by present-day cultural sensitivities and expectations?
- What practical recommendations might UKRI, NERC and the environmental science sector more broadly consider in order to respond to society’s evolving outlooks and attitudes, in line with delivering NERC’s Responsible Business Statement?
Follow the link for information on how to apply, by Thursday 4th March.