There is a particular emphasis on Africa where many people are dependent on vulnerable environmental resources. Several projects cross disciplinary boundaries within the social sciences - combining for example legal and economic perspectives. A full range of social science research techniques including ethnographic techniques, surveys, questionnaires, interviews, focus groups and computer modelling are being utilised. Awards are held at UK universities and independent research institutions. There have been four calls for grant applications and two calls for fellowship proposals.
All applications are subject to rigorous peer review.
The Centre for the Study of Environmental Change at the University of Lancaster has received two major programme grants. Over its ten year life, the total Programme budget will be of the order of 20m making it one of the ESRC s largest investments. A main aim of the Global Environmental Change Programme is to contribute to the ESRC s mission - to fund high quality research which meets the needs of its users and enhances the UK s economic competitiveness, quality of life and the effectiveness of its public services and policy. The Programme makes a core contribution to the ESRC s Environment and Sustainability priority theme. In terms of research quality, the Programme has already made its mark in the academic world.