Social-Ecological Research (SOEF)

What has to happen to get consumers to apply their knowledge on sustainable consumption to their everyday shopping habits? Which population groups are most affected by the consequences of anthropogenic climate change and the necessary adaptation strategies? Does the withdrawal of the public sector from the fields of water, electricity and gas supply harbour risks with regard to social justice and environmental protection, or does it open up more scope for sustainable action?

The "Social-Ecological Research" funding priority is characterized by the interdisciplinary pooling of knowledge to provide scientific contributions to solving concrete social problems of sustainability.
As a rule, this requires interdisciplinary cooperation between researchers in the natural and the social sciences. As these are problems of everyday life, research must look beyond the science system and take into account the expert knowledge which exists in practice (transdisciplinarity). All societal stakeholders – consumers, municipalities, companies and civil society – are therefore involved in the research process in different ways. The objective is sustainable development, i.e. the ecological modernization of society without neglecting mankind’s desire for social justice and prosperity. This is a highly complex task which is at the top of the Federal Government's research agenda.

Taking into account the results of a programme evaluation, the second phase of the funding priority began in 2006. Capacity building at universities and non-university research institutions was accorded an important role.

There are three different funding instruments: 1) Infrastructure Funding, 2) Funding for Junior Researchers, and 3) Thematic Research Funding.

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  Aus dem Themenbereich Funding Measure

  01.04.2009

  31.12.2013
  
  

  Social Dimensions of Climate Change and Climate Protection

  The topic "Social Dimensions of Climate Change and Climate Protection" addresses an area of social concern that is hugely topical. To this end, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research is funding 12 projects. more
  (URL: /en/9874)
   
  
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  Aus dem Themenbereich Funding Measure

  01.01.2008

  31.12.2013
  
  

  Sustainable Consumption

  Sustainable consumption is a societal issue which has continually grown in importance on the political agenda in the last few years. SÖF aims at identifying and analysing the constraints that conflict this implementation of knowledge into action. more
  (URL: /en/9876)
   
  
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  Aus dem Themenbereich Funding Measure

  01.01.2008

  31.12.2014
  
  

  Junior Research Groups

  Targeted funding of thematic, interdisciplinary junior research groups opens up the opportunity for young researchers to acquire additional academic qualification in the field of inter- and transdisciplinary research. more
  (URL: /en/9880)
   
  

• Aus dem Themenbereich Funding Measure

  Completed Funding Measures (translation will be available soon)
  

  more
  (URL: /en/15981)
   
  



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