Virtual Workshop Taking sides? Productive engagement between academia and activism on the climate

Summary

Both advocates and critics of accelerated climate action and energy transition criticise the procedures and outputs of mainstream climate science. Climate philosophy highlights ideal analyses with little direct application in real world politics and activism. Social and political scientists offer uncertain answers on how change might be supported. Around us the impacts of climate change intensify, and responses within and beyond energy systems continue to fall short of the challenge, while public discourses fragment and polarise in a ‘post-truth’ political climate, in which research findings can be co-opted or misinterpreted to political ends. Some politicians and academics, and many activists, argue that we face a ‘climate emergency’.

For climate and energy researchers, what does it mean to be ‘engaged’ with the issues, publics and activism in an era of ‘climate emergency’? Is it possible or even desirable to avoid ‘taking sides’?

The workshop will take a virtual format comprising 3 half days spread across three consecutive weeks in May 2021. Participation will be free of charge.

Sessions will run: 1-5pm UTC (2-6pm CET, 8am-1pm EST) on 12th, 20th, 26th May 2021.