Abstract
A key objective of ACCESS is to ‘contribute to scoping future transformative social science and
interdisciplinary research within the area of climate and environment that draws on diverse
stakeholder perspectives to ensure strategic research outcomes that make a difference’.
As part of this objective ACCESS has provided input into the Economic and Social Research Council’s
(ESRC) environmental priorities. This report presents the outcomes of two horizon scanning or
scoping projects carried out by the ACCESS team for the ESRC in the spring and summer of 2022.
Alongside other scoping activities organised by ESRC, these ACCESS activities helped shape a call for
research funding published by ESRC early 2023, focusing on a place theme.
Phase I
‘Net Zero, Environment, biodiversity and climate change’ is a priority area within ESRC’s three-year
Delivery Plan for 2022 (in draft at the time of Phase I but now published). On 5 May 2022, ESRC
presented to ESRC Council on plans and priorities within this thematic area. ACCESS provided input
to help ESRC develop the thematic priorities. This was done by drawing on key themes drawn from a
rapid review of existing citizen assemblies and a short survey among ACCESS experts. A report was
presented to ESRC in March 2022, which resulted in the reordering of the thematic priorities, some
rewording of the text and the addition of a potential cross-cutting theme.
Phase II
Following feedback from Council and confirmation of spending review allocations, ESRC aimed to
refine ideas through wider consultation with the academic community and stakeholders to further
develop the core themes of the research programmes. ACCESS was asked to provide further input to
assist with the refinement of the place-based research theme that was taken forward. ACCESS
developed a short survey and carried out a focus group discussion with key stakeholders. Phase II
activities highlighted the key importance and challenges of co-production in research on place-based
solutions. Amongst others. it suggested research should address important issues around social
inequalities, consider place-based approaches at different scales, support novel methods to generate
new data and be based on well-designed co-production approaches to produce usable tangible
outcomes and support new ways of thinking and doing.