Environmental problems often manifest themselves in the natural environment, but their underlying causes arise from combinations of technological, economic, social, cultural and political change. The social sciences are therefore fundamental both to ensuring a comprehensive understanding of environmental change and developing more sustainable development pathways in the future.​

As one of the world’s longest-established groups of environmental social scientists, we teach, research and develop solutions on the social, political and economic dimensions of environmental issues. We do so from a wide interdisciplinary range of social science disciplines including geography, sociology, science and technology studies, political science, economics and psychology. ​

Much of our work is undertaken in internationally recognised research centres operating at the forefront of theoretical and methodological developments in environmental decision-making (CSERGE), governance and behaviour (Tyndall), and relations between science, innovation and society (3S), which produce cutting-edge empirical insights on climate change, energy, biodiversity, natural hazards and sustainability.​