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Ten facts from critical and interpretive social sciences for environmental research
Jasper Montana1,2, E A Welden3,4, Lea May Anderson5
1Australian National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science, Australian National University, Acton, ACT 2612, Australia.
Iscience
|June 23, 2025
Summary
Critical social sciences offer vital, underused insights for environmental research. Integrating their perspectives can drive transformative change for people and the planet.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Research
- Social Sciences
- Sustainability Studies
Background:
- Social sciences are essential for understanding environmental sustainability challenges.
- Current efforts to integrate social sciences into environmental research lack diversity.
- Critical and interpretive social sciences offer unique, underutilized perspectives.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the underutilized role of critical and interpretive social sciences in environmental research.
- To propose a framework for integrating these perspectives into environmental research.
- To support transformative change for environmental sustainability.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of the role of critical and interpretive social sciences.
- Identification of 10 key facts from these disciplines.
- Proposal for rethinking environmental research focus, conduct, and goals.
Main Results:
- Environmental research can be significantly enhanced by incorporating critical and interpretive social science insights.
- Recognizing 10 key facts can guide a more effective approach to environmental research.
- This integration can lead to more robust support for transformative change.
Conclusions:
- The critical and interpretive social sciences are invaluable for advancing environmental research.
- Rethinking environmental research through these lenses is crucial for achieving sustainability.
- A more inclusive approach to social sciences will benefit both people and the planet.
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