Collaborative working across disciplines and sectors: case study report launch

Following the launch of the IES and Advancing Capacity for Climate and Environmental Social Sciences (ACCESS) co-produced Toolkit for collaborative working across disciplines and sectors, we are excited to announce the release of an accompanying case study report: come along to this webinar to be among the first to see the report and hear directly from the project team. 

The toolkit presents a practical and flexible framework for collaboration to help environmental researchers, policymakers, and practitioners collaborate more effectively. The case study report is a supporting resource to provide context and framing to the principles outlined. 

How was the case study report produced? What does it contain? 

During the process of co-producing the toolkit, a survey was distributed to environmental researchers and practitioners to gather examples of collaborative working across research, policy and practice. The survey invited respondents to share both successful and unsuccessful collaborations, focusing on how projects were designed, who was involved, what forms of knowledge were brought together, and how collaboration influenced outcomes. It also explored perceived barriers and enablers of successful collaboration, including organisational cultures, funding structures, skills, motivations, and the practical realities of working across disciplines and sectors. 

This case study report has been developed from the survey findings to illustrate how and where collaborative working is currently taking place, and to reflect on what it looks like in practice. The collection of case studies is as varied and diverse as the ACCESS and IES community, with projects ranging in size, budget, disciplines, and sectors.

Our speakers

Birgitta Gatersleben is Professor of Environmental Psychology at the University of Surrey. Her research is applied and interdisciplinary, focusing on environmental sustainability and wellbeing, with a particular focus on the role of nature engagement, active transport and consumerism. She leads the Environmental Psychology Research Group and associated MSc program. 

Birgitta is co-director of the £6.25m ESRC funded ACCESS network (Advancing Capacity for Climate and Environment Social Science) that aims to champion environmental social science to tackle environmental challenges. Birgitta has worked in many large interdisciplinary research programs focusing on sustainable lifestyles and wellbeing including CUSP (Centre for Understanding Sustainable Prosperity), RESOLVE and Elicit to examine and promote sustainable prosperity and wellbeing.   

Anita Lateano is a Knowledge Exchange & Impact Fellow on ACCESS’s Environmental Social Science in Interdisciplinary Working project, which focuses on how different disciplines, forms of knowledge and perspectives can be brought together to address complex environmental challenges. She is also a PhD researcher at the University of Westminster, where her research is at the intersection of biodiversity conservation, environmental anthropology and political ecology. Anita's research builds on previous professional experience within the environmental NGO and charity sector, to explore nature restoration practices, examining how conservation is understood and enacted across communities, governments, NGOs, tourism operators and more-than-human environments.

Ethny Childs is Head of Communities & Partnerships at the Institution of Environmental Sciences. Ethny is responsible for managing the IES Communities and is the Community Coordinator for the Climate Action, EIA, FWR, Land Condition and IAQM Communities. She also leads on IES partnerships, including the IES's work on interdisciplinary collaboration. She sits on the Board for SiLC, and was previously on the advisory panel for the Media Trust's Communicating Climate Programme and Equator programme. She has been recognised on the ENDs Power List and Environment100 list.

Social science at the IES

Within the IES, social scientists work across policy, practice, and research. They ensure behavioural and social science evidence is used alongside other environmental expertise to support effective environmental work that delivers for our society, economy and environment.

If you're a social scientist and not yet a member, consider joining the IES to connect with environmental professionals across disciplines, providing myriad opportunities for interdisciplinary knowledge-sharing and development of systems-led solutions. You will also receive the following member benefits:

• 4 journals per annum
• Hundreds of online and national events and discounts on short courses
• Chance to apply for Chartered Scientist, Chartered Environmentalist, Registered Environmental Practitioner and Registered Environmental Technician
• Recognition of professional status and use of post-nominal letters
• Professional development support and CPD recording tools
• Use of our mentoring platform and careers resources
• Access to our exclusive webinars and discounts on IES training
• Regular reports on the environmental science sector
• Ability to join one of our communities and/or early-career networks
• Numerous newsletters, including Essential Environment, a monthly policy round-up

Header image © Ewald Fröch via Adobe Stock