28 - 31 August 2013
Torino, Italy

RN12 – Environment and Society

Coordinator:
Matthias Gross matthias.gross@ufz.de Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ), Leipzig, Germany

The Environment & Society Research Network (RN12) of the European Sociological Association (ESA) brings together social scientists with a research interest in issues of environment and sustainability. The theme of the 11th conference of the European Sociological Association (ESA) is “Crisis, Critique and Change.” In accordance with this theme, RN12 will critically focus on the environmental dimensions of contemporary crisis and also reflect on transitions and changes out of the crisis.

Whereas debates on climate change after Fukushima have taken a backseat role in the face of the significance of society’s energy dependencies, the Environment & Society Research Network remains dedicated to all fields of environmental research in connection to social theory, sustainability, consumption, food, democracy, energy, climate, science and technology, innovation, conservation, governance, and justice. Our sociological focus will be on areas as diverse as water management, energy shortages, air and soil pollution, vulnerability to natural and technological disasters.

At the RN 12 sessions at the ESA conference in Turin in 2012, we aim to explore issues of environment and society from diverse theoretical, methodological and empirical points of view and, no less important, in a more practical perspective of societal action.

We invite you submit abstracts to the session themes listed below. Topics addressed in the RN 12 sessions include, but should not be restricted by those listed below.

We are open for additional topics as long as they can be accommodated in the conference schedule. Authors from outside of Europe are especially welcome to submit abstracts and participate in the sessions.

Note: all submitted abstracts will be assessed by an international review panel. The language of the abstract should be English. Acceptance of the abstract will be based on the following criteria:

  • Does the abstract indicate that the paper will make an original, understandable, and meaningful contribution to environment and society debates?
  • If the paper presents new empirical material it must be clear from the abstract upon which research any of the conclusions for environment and society debates are based.
  • If the paper mainly presents new theoretical considerations it must be clear from the abstract which existing theories and concepts the paper is in discussion with, and which new insights will be added to the debates.

For further questions or comments, please contact RN12’s coordinator Matthias Gross at: matthias.gross@ufz.de

Sessions

Joint Sessions

  • 01JS08JS12 – Energy Futures: Emerging Conflicts, Impacts, Opportunities

    Joint session with RN08 – Disaster, Conflict and Social Crisis

    Chairs: Debra J. Davidson <Debra.Davidson@ales.ualberta.ca>, University of Alberta, Canada & Matthias Gross <matthias.gross@ufz.de>, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Leipzig

    This session will focus on research exploring the multiple emerging trajectories along which society’s relationship with energy supplies is unfolding. New ‘non-conventional fuels,’ such as shale gas and bitumen are being developed rapidly, as are renewable fuels, including biofuels, geothermal fuels, and wind power. And finally, conventional fossil fuel sources are being exploited in ever more remote locations, with little scrutiny. Each of these is associated with a suite of discursive frames and socio-ecological impacts that demand critical evaluation, as they constitute an increasing proportion of our energy portfolio. In many cases, new fuel sources are heartily endorsed with little attention to the uncertainties and risks associated with their adoption. In others, adoption is constrained because the potential benefits are under-represented due to elevated risk concerns. Sociological attention to the risks, benefits, and evolutionary implications of society’s energy futures is growing, but to date little effort has been made to synthesize this important body of work. In this session, papers covering several of these lines of inquiry will be presented.

  • 02JS08JS12 – Energy Futures: Emerging Conflicts, Impacts, Opportunities

    Joint session with RN08 – Disaster, Conflict and Social Crisis

    Chairs: Debra J. Davidson <Debra.Davidson@ales.ualberta.ca>, University of Alberta, Canada & Matthias Gross <matthias.gross@ufz.de>, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Leipzig

    This session will focus on research exploring the multiple emerging trajectories along which society’s relationship with energy supplies is unfolding. New ‘non-conventional fuels,’ such as shale gas and bitumen are being developed rapidly, as are renewable fuels, including biofuels, geothermal fuels, and wind power. And finally, conventional fossil fuel sources are being exploited in ever more remote locations, with little scrutiny. Each of these is associated with a suite of discursive frames and socio-ecological impacts that demand critical evaluation, as they constitute an increasing proportion of our energy portfolio. In many cases, new fuel sources are heartily endorsed with little attention to the uncertainties and risks associated with their adoption. In others, adoption is constrained because the potential benefits are under-represented due to elevated risk concerns. Sociological attention to the risks, benefits, and evolutionary implications of society’s energy futures is growing, but to date little effort has been made to synthesize this important body of work. In this session, papers covering several of these lines of inquiry will be presented.


Thank you very much to all participants for making esa torino an outstanding conference. 

Contacts & Sponsors