Sociological Understanding of the Science-Climate Nexus

Tuesday, 8 July 2025: 19:00-20:30
Location: SJES020 (Faculty of Legal, Economic, and Social Sciences (JES))
RC23 Sociology of Science and Technology (host committee)

Language: English

Anthropogenic climate change poses an existential threat to societies around the globe. Nonetheless, while the scientific community has mobilized to highlight these dangers and urged immediate action to address the causes of climate change, only limited progress has been made in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to shifting conditions. To what extent the engagement of scientists affects climate views and policies remains uncertain. Understanding how both science and scientists shape climate concerns is a key area for sociological inquiry. This session encourages a synthesis of scholarship from the sociology of science, environmental sociology, and the discipline broadly to expand understanding of the role of science and scientists in climate change. It will also promote discussion of how sociologists can further collaborate with other social and environmental scientists to help address pressing climate concerns. Papers that consider key issues such as climate justice, the role of different types of knowledge (scientific and traditional) in shaping climate views are also encouraged. Finally, submissions that focus on the science-climate nexus in different social contexts around the world and consider ways sociological understanding may support on-the-ground efforts to address climate concerns are also welcome.
Session Organizer:
Prof. Thomas SAFFORD, Ph.D., University of New Hampshire, USA
Oral Presentations
How Do Climate Scientists Frame Their Knowledge and Expertise in Public Discourse? Russian Climate Scientists’ Communication of Climate Changes
Olga V. BYCHKOVA, European University at St. Petersburg, Russian Federation; Dmitrii ZHIKHAREVICH, Tandem, Russian Federation; Sergey ASTAKHOV, University of Southampton, United Kingdom
Addressing Climate Change Impacts from African Perspective: African Indigenous Science As a Workable Prospect for Mitigation
Philip EGBULE ONYEKACHUKWU, University of Delta, Agbor, Delta State, Nigeria, Nigeria
Harnessing Spirituality and Science: The Impact of Diverse Epistemic Frameworks on Climate Action
Jessica KIM, University of Pittsburgh, USA; Laura SCHIMMÖLLER, Germany; Yasemin SOYSAL, United Kingdom
Listening to Science - How the Earth System Sciences Shape Planetary Thinking in Late Modern Societies: A Sociology of the Planetary
Charlotte HERBERTZ, Universität Rostock, Germany; Jan GÄRTNER, University of Rostock, Germany; Katharina BLOCK, Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, Germany