PRR Project

Summary

Rationale for the ICS-ULisboa Strategic Planning : A significant and emerging focus in Sustainable Futures research is climate transitions. This involves studying the mitigation or adaptation to climate change, as well as broader socioecological or sociotechnical transitions towards sustainability, and the associated institutional and governance implications. Presently, there is substantial pressure on public policy to align practices, policies, politics, and governance with the new realities imposed by the impacts of climate change across various spatial scales—ranging from neighborhoods and cities to regions, nations, and transnational territories. Within the overarching theme of climate transitions, there is heightened attention to areas such as sustainable cities and communities, circular economy, food systems, and the preservation and restoration of ecosystems and biodiversity, among others. These issues are increasingly integrated into international policy agendas, including initiatives like the European Green Deal by the European Commission, and being incorporated into urban planning strategies, and regional and national policies.Researchers in this field are finding themselves increasingly involved in collaborative partnerships with a diverse array of stakeholders, encompassing both academic and non-academic partners. This involvement demands a skill set that includes rigorous and robust interdisciplinary scientific knowledge, stakeholder engagement, the application of participatory methods, and the ability to broker knowledge across various actors, levels, and spatial scales. Researchers in Sustainable Futures are frequently engaged in contributing to policy papers that seek to analyze crucial political, social, technological, and economic lock-ins in climate action. They aim to propose forward-looking solutions that foster effective transformative change and navigate climate transitions toward a sustainable future. Researchers often contribute to the formulation of public policies in key areas of sustainability. Required Scientific Profile : In addition to a demonstrated interest in the topic, the PhD Researcher to be recruited should have: a) a PhD in Geography and related areas; b) a relevant CV in the field of Sustainable Futures, with particular emphasis on climate transitions and a proven international track record (e.g. international collaborations, a repertoire of publications in top quality journals and or book publications, participation in research networks, experience in project-based research and outreach activities); c) solid methodological training in action-research and participatory methodologies, involving contributions from multiple stakeholders; d) proven experience for initiating innovative, cutting-edge, research strands and topics; e) proven experience in coordinating and teaching post-graduate courses; f) a track record in attracting funding from non-academic partners, and contributing to or capture highly competitive funding, both at an international and national levels; g) experience in coordinating teams; and h) preferable experience in stakeholder engagement, knowledge brokerage and research-to-policy transfer to decision-makers in both private and public sectors.The recruited PhD Researcher will be a major step forward in the consolidation and expansion of this key area at ICS-ULisboa – Sustainable Futures/Climate Transitions given the urgency to transfer robust scientific knowledge to public policies, thus instrumental in bolstering ICS-ULisboa’s profile as a Portuguese and European pioneering centre in applied research on this major topic of social science research.??????? Tasks to be assigned : The Assistant Researcher to be recruited will carry out activities in the field of Sustainable Futures/Climate Transitions. These activities include a) designing research projects for national and international calls; b) coordinating research teams and leading the implementation of projects in research and scientific and technological development; c) conducting training activities in scientific research methods and development in this field; d) supervising master’s and PhD students; e) proposing outreach interventions based on results obtained in a research project conducted in this scientific domain; f) conducting action-research interventions, stakeholder engagement and research-to-policy transfer; g) contributing to academic management at the ICS-ULisboa.This Researcher will develop activities contributing to several TLs, but especially within the Sustainability Thematic Line , where currently there are several ongoing projects, including ERC, Horizon WPs and FCT projects, three doctoral degrees, including one in Climate Change and Sustainable Development Policies, as well as degrees in Sustainable Sciences and Development Studies, and Outreach Activities under the Social Observatory with a focus on Environment, Territory and Society.