The work of the Society and Environment Group is characterised by a broad and interdisciplinary approach to the relationships between people and society and the ecosystems services upon which they depend. Our interests span the theoretical, conceptual and methodological challenges to conducting empirically grounded interdisciplinary research.

Our interests include: human responses to global environmental change and climatic variability, reconstructing past climates and environments from diverse data sources; environmental management and policy, land degradation and change, health and well-being, biodiversity, and water resources. Our research is underpinned by extensive social, policy and environmental data collection expertise and involves the integration of social scientists, ecologists, geomorphologists, climate scientists and earth observation specialists. A key element of research within this overall theme is that of interdisciplinarity and strong user engagement and partnership in all aspects of the research.

The Society and Environment Group are active in the Sheffield International Institute for Development and the Sheffield Centre for International Drylands Research (SCIDR). Both of which bring together academic staff and postgraduates from across the University.

We welcome doctoral research applications in this interdisciplinary area and have a vibrant postgraduate (taught and research) community within the department within this field.

Individual staff interests can be seen at:

Mark Bateman
Grant Bigg
Rob Bryant
Jess Dubow
Peter Jackson
Julie Jones
Helen Moggridge
Tony Parsons
Deborah Sporton
Chasca Twyman
Matt Watson