date: Tue, 18 Nov 2003 10:59:03 -0000 from: malcolm eames subject: SDR-Network Mailing: 18 November 2003 to: SDRN@JISCMAIL.AC.UK Contents: 1. RURAL DELIVERY REPORT 2. DfT HORIZONS RESEARCH CALL 3. ESRC RESEARCH SEMINARS COMPETITION 4. GREENING GOVERNMENT 2003 NEW EAC REPORT 5. FUTURE OF UK ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES 6. LSE CENTRE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY AND GOVERNANCE 7. EARTHSCAN HAS A NEW HOME 8. 'HAPPINESS AND PUBLIC POLICY' - INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR HEALTH & SOCIETY UCL 9. SUSTAINABLE INNOVATION 04 - C A LL F O R P A P E R S 10. SOCIAL MARKET FOUNDATION SEMINAR: 'SHARING RESPONSIBILITY FOR OUR PUBLIC SPACES 11. Policy Studies Institute job opportunities 12. CORPORATE PROGRAMMES OFFICER AT EARTHWATCH EUROPE 13. HEAD, TECHNICAL SUPPORT FOR IPCC 14. INSTITUTE OF ENERGY AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT 15. MARIE CURIE OPPORTUNITIES FOR DOCTORAL STUDENTS 16. RESEARCHER - THE CLIMATE GROUP/CONFERENCE OF THE REDUCERS The SDR-Network Mailing is an information resource and dissemination service for SDR-Network members. You can make use of this service by posting details of forthcoming events, funding opportunities, job vacancies, research outputs, policy developments, consultations, etc to SDR-Network Coordinator, Malcolm Eames ([1]m.eames@psi.org.uk). If you send an item for inclusion in the Mailing and would like list members to be able to contact you directly you must include your email address in the body of the item. The SDRN list is a moderated list. For SD web resources see - [2]www.sd-research.org.uk or [3]www.sustainable-development.gov.uk ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --- 1. RURAL DELIVERY REPORT In November 2002, Margaret Beckett, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, invited Lord Haskins to carry out an independent review of the arrangements for delivering government rural polices in England. Lord Haskins report, which includes 33 separate recommendations for improving delivery of rural policies, has now been completed and was published on 11 November 2003. For details see [4]http://www.defra.gov.uk/rural/ruraldelivery/default.htm DEFRA has begun work on a detailed response, which will be published in the Spring of next year. Comments or suggestions can be sent by e-mail to the Defra implementation team at: [5]ruraldeliveryprogramme@defra.gsi.gov.uk. It may not be possible to answer every e-mail individually, but the Q&A will be updated regularly with answers to the questions we receive. Please check online for these regular updates, which can be found in the Rural Delivery Review section of our website. 2. DfT HORIZONS RESEARCH CALL The DfT is looking to support innovative research about future challenges and opportunities with a horizon of between 10 and 30 years. Proposals are sought that either: a) research issues that may affect meeting, in the longer term, DfT's objective, or b) look at the specific impacts on transport of new technologies. The first Call for the new programme is now on the science and research pages of the DfT website. This gives fuller details of the type of research proposal DfT are interested in and how to express interest in the programme. News about the progress of the programme and supported projects will be published on the website regularly. See: [6]http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_science/documents/page/dft_science_025627.hcsp 3. ESRC RESEARCH SEMINARS COMPETITION Information regarding the 2003/4 call for the ESRCs annual seminar competitions is now available on the ESRC website at: [7]http://www.esrc.ac.uk/ESRCContent/researchfunding/seminars.asp 4. GREENING GOVERNMENT 2003 NEW EAC REPORT Greening Government is the process of incorporating environmental objectives in both operational aspects of departmental performance and policy appraisal and development. As part of its audit role in holding departments to account, the Environmental Audit Committee has published its latest report on this topic, Greening Government 2003, HC 961 of Session 2002-03. The Committee's report, Greening Government 2003, is available on the Committee's website at [8]www.parliament.uk/parliamentary_committees/environmental_audit_committee.cfm. It offers a critical analysis of the Governments Sustainable Development in Government: First Annual Report, published in November 2002, which is at [9]http://www.sustainable-development.gov.uk/sdig/reports/index.htm 5. FUTURE OF UK ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES The final report of the review of the future of the environmental science in the UK, commissioned by the Environmental Research Funders Forum is now available together with the Forums initial responses to the recommendations made. See [10]www.erff.org.uk/whatsnew.asp 6. LSE CENTRE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY AND GOVERNANCE The LSE have established a new Research Centre for Environmental Policy and Governance. The Director is Professor Yvonne Rydin and enquiries can be made to Y.Rydin@lse.ac.uk or [11]environ.policy@lse.ac.uk Further details can be found at [12]http://www.lse.ac.uk/collections/geographyAndEnvironment/CEPG/ Among two of the first public events organised by the Centre are: - a talk by the Canadian Ambassador for the Environment on Canada's approach to sustainable development (at 1.00pm on Thursday 20th November in D302 at LSE); and - a debate on GMOs and agricultural policy with a panel comprising Michael Meacher, Ben Gill, Chris Pollack, George Gaskell and Tim Dyson (at 6.30pm on Thurday 27th November in the Old Theatre at LSE). All are welcome 7. EARTHSCAN HAS A NEW HOME Earthscan was originally founded by the International Institute for Environment and Development, and for the last 12 years we have been a subsidiary of Kogan Page, a publisher of business and management books. Earthscan has now joined forces with James & James, an environmental technology publisher in order to create a more focused, dynamic and effective publisher on environmental and development issues. Earthscan staff and operations will all shortly be moving to the J&J offices in Camden, London. Earthscan plan to expand their publishing to meet the demands of the constituencies they serve through the range of media that J&J already publish in, and which include directories and reference works, journals and magazines, as well as books. If you would like to receive future announcements from Earthscan, including new titles and special offers, please ensure that you are on our e-newsletter mailing list by subscribing at [13]www.earthscan.co.uk 8. 'HAPPINESS AND PUBLIC POLICY' - INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR HEALTH & SOCIETY UCL 2003 Seminar Series Monday 1 December 5.00pm RSVP attendance essential Richard Layard, Director of the Programme on Well-Being, London School of Economics Abstract: Despite economic growth, longer holidays and better health, happiness has stagnated in Britain over the last 50 years. The main reason has been excessive focus on incentives for individual wealth creation and inadequate focus on the practical ways in which misery can be reduced and happiness increased. Policy implications include the following. I. Since much income generation is aimed at improving relative income (a zero-sum game), taxation is less inefficient than is usually supposed. II. Far more resources should go on treating mental illness, and on related research. III. There is no need to increase mobility, which increases crime and damages families. IV. Excessive individualism generates anxiety and should be replaced by a new commitment to the common good (ie the greatest happiness of all). V. Social science research should be refocused towards explaining happiness and what we can do to affect it. RSVP seminar attendance by 28/11/03, E-mail: [14]ichs@public-health.ucl.ac.uk (indicating any special needs and for directions to the seminar room) See also [15]www.ucl.ac.uk/epidemiology 9. SUSTAINABLE INNOVATION 04 - C A LL F O R P A P E R S Creating and developing sustainable and responsible new business models Towards Sustainable Product Design 9 9th International Conference 25th - 26th October 2004 Bush Hotel, Farnham, Surrey, UK Conference topics Sustainable Innovation 04 welcomes conceptual and research-based papers covering sustainable and responsible business innovation in the context of a range of issues: * Market development * Technology development * New business models * Entrepreneurship * Stimulating innovation * Products and service development * Product Service Systems (PSS) * Marketing and communications * Business development * Co-development * Network management Living laboratory Sustainable Innovation 04 welcomes blue-sky, thought-provoking, radical concepts and ideas with an emphasis on new business models rather than solutions focused on 'business as usual'. Submission details: please email, fax or post 500 words describing your proposed paper by 31st January 2004. The paper will then be sent to the Advisory Board for evaluation and authors will be given feedback by the end of February. Living laboratory: please email, fax or post 2 pages that a) visualise, b) describe your proposed sustainable business, product, service or PSS concept and c) outline the financial, social and environmental impacts (both positive and negative) of your idea. Please send your outline by 31st January 2004. Proposals will then be sent to the Advisory Board for evaluation and feedback will be returned by the end of February with successful entrants asked to present their concepts at the event. A template will be downloadable from [16]www.cfsd.org.uk/events/tspd9 For full details of this call for papers see: [17]www.cfsd.org.uk 10. SOCIAL MARKET FOUNDATION SEMINAR: 'SHARING RESPONSIBILITY FOR OUR PUBLIC SPACES Speaker: Rt. Hon Alun Michael, MP Tuesday 11th December 2003, 1-2.30 pm Social Market Foundation, 11 Tufton Street, London SW1 On launching the Defra consultation document earlier this year, Alun Michael remarked that 'successful, thriving and prosperous communities are characterized by streets, parks and open spaces that are clean safe and attractive.tackling failure such as litter graffiti, etc is for many the top public service priority'. In this seminar, he will be looking at how government, business, the voluntary sector and other interested parties can collaborate in making our public spaces 'fit for habitation'. To attend this seminar contact Annette Bullen, at the Social Market Foundation on 020 7227 4401 or email [18]abullen@smf.co.uk 11. Policy Studies Institute job opportunities A wholly-owned subsidiary of the University of Westminster Environmental Policy Research Research Fellow: £21,379-£32,424 pa incl LWA Research Officer: £19,139-£24,804 pa incl LWA The Policy Studies Institute Institute (PSI), one of Britains leading social and economic research institutes, is expanding its Environment Group. The Group is led by Professor Paul Ekins and includes Professor Jim Skea, Director of the Institute. The Group takes a problem-focused, interdisciplinary approach. The approach to research is team-based, problem-focused and interdisciplinary. Successful candidates will be appointed to the Institutes permanent staff and may work on a number of different projects. We are making two types of appointment. We are looking for a Research Fellow with quantitative analytical skills relating to the environment and sustainable development, especially those linking energy, the environment and the economy, such as econometrics, inputoutput analysis and energy-environment modelling. This person would be expected to work initially on a European project addressing the implications for industrial competitiveness of environmental tax reform (COMETR). The other appointment will be for a Research Officer to work on a project which is being taken forward as part of the Sustainable Hydrogen Economy Consortium (SHEC), one of four such consortia funded over four years by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). The work will entail keeping up to date with developments in all aspects of development in hydrogen technology, contributing to the characterisation of that technology and helping to develop scenarios that envisage it becoming a major fuel. The work will also entail some basic project administration. Other work packages in the project will be developed as the Consortium timetable unfolds. We are looking for people with broad research experience and quantitative skills relating to environmental economics and/or policies. The Research Fellow will have a post-graduate degree in a relevant subject, or a good first degree and several years research experience. The Research Officer will have a good first degree in a relevant discipline and may also have a post-graduate qualification. For an application form and further details, visit [19]www.psi.org.uk or contact Hilary Salter, Policy Studies Institute, 100 Park Village East, London NW1 3SR, Tel: 020-7468-2219, e-mail: [20]salterh@psi.org.uk. Informal enquiries should initially be made via Hilary Salter. Closing date: 5pm Friday 5 December 2003 12. CORPORATE PROGRAMMES OFFICER AT EARTHWATCH EUROPE Earthwatch has an active programme working with the corporate sector, aiming to promote awareness of, and action on, environmental and sustainability issues throughout companies and their employees. We engage with senior corporate mangers, hold a series of events, produce publications and playing the role of an informed 'stakeholder' in our member companies. We are working on a portfolio of projects and partnerships to support and promote corporate action for biodiversity on an international scale. We are looking for an bright and highly motivated team player with an interest in corporate social responsibility and environmental sustainability to work in our Corporate Programmes team. Applicants should be able to demonstrate an ability to work with partner and donor organisations at a range of levels, and have an understanding of the interface between the private and NGO sector. The ability to juggle multiple projects and meet deadlines is important, as are IT and admin skills. The role will require hands-on management of ongoing activities, as well as taking part in developing Earthwatch's overall role within the corporate sector. Candidates must have excellent written and spoken English and a second European language would be an advantage. This is a permanent full time position with opportunities for the right person to develop significantly within the role. Location: Oxford, UK Salary: £19,000 (tbc) Application deadline: Thursday 27th November Send CV to: David Davies, Personnel Officer ddavies@earthwatch.org.uk Tel: +44 (0)1865 318874 13. HEAD, TECHNICAL SUPPORT FOR IPCC £45,257 -£67,885 Permanent post (or possibly a 4-year secondment)at the Met Office,Exeter The Met Office is the UK s national meteorological service, providing weather forecasts,observations, limate and environmental data for a variety of customers. The Met Office s Hadley Centre for Climate Prediction and Research is seeking a senior scientist with excellent management and organisational abilities to lead the Technical Support Unit for Working Group II of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).This unit has the responsibility for co-ordinating international teams of experts in the preparation of IPCC assessment reports of knowledge on impacts, adaptation and vulnerability to climate change. IPCC assessment reports are accepted worldwide as one of the most authoritative sources of information on climate change for policy makers and experts in academia, government and industry. Fields of particular relevance include: water, health, agriculture and biodiversity; experience in climate impacts/adaptation in one or more of these and other areas would be essential. You must have: a good degree in a relevant scientific subject and a PhD,or equivalent post-graduate research experience, in at least two or more aspects of climate change impacts assessment or adaptation to climate change; at least 10 years experience in both management and research, including at least 2 years at the international level. The Met Office offers a choice of final salary and stakeholder pensions, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best. Career prospects for non-UK nationals may be limited. Staff have a mobility commitment. The Met Office is an Equal Opportunities employer. Visit our web site [21]www.metoffice.com The closing date for applications is 21 November 2003. Interviews will be held during December 2003. Application forms and further information: Capita RAS Innovation Court New Street Basingstoke Hampshire RG21 7JB Tel:01325 745500 (24 hours) [22]www.capitaras.co.uk Please quote reference B7407 14. INSTITUTE OF ENERGY AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT Junior Research Fellow: Community Energy Initiatives £11,962 - £21,125 pa (appointment likely to be made from £17,624 - £20,311 pa) Pay award pending Fixed Term for two years, commencing January 2004 or as soon as feasible thereafter The Institute is a founder member of the prestigious Faraday Partnership for Integration of New and Renewable Energy in Buildings and seeks to make a worthwhile and significant contribution to sustainable development through multidisciplinary research, consultancy and learning provision. A highly motivated social scientist is required to play a leading role in the ESRC Sustainable Technologies Programme project Community Energy Initiatives: Embedding Sustainable Technology at the Local Level. This project involves collaboration between De Montfort University, Staffordshire University and the University of Northumbria and is supported by a range of public, private and voluntary sector organisations. Your role will be to evaluate the role of community initiatives in the embedding of sustainable energy technologies in the UK. You will examine the emergence of community-orientated programmes within national policy, the conditions under which different forms of community energy project have been developed, the interpretation of 'community' within these initiatives (including more dispersed 'communities of interest'), the extent to which aims and outcomes are being achieved and the factors promoting and obstructing their success. Candidates will have good undergraduate and preferably post-graduate degrees in a relevant social science discipline (preferably psychology, geography, politics, sociology or environmental studies). Expertise and experience in the use of both qualitative and quantitative methods are essential. Knowledge or experience of social and behavioural aspects of energy, community processes and the uptake of new technologies, are also desirable. Application forms and further details are available from: The Human Resources Team De Montfort University The Gateway Leicester LE1 9BH Tel: 0116 250 6433 (24 hours answerphone) To apply on line visit our website: [23]http://www.dmu.ac.uk Please Quote Ref: 2978 Closing Date: 1 December 2003 and Interviews will be held on 9 December 2003 15. MARIE CURIE OPPORTUNITIES FOR DOCTORAL STUDENTS Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei (FEEM) is welcoming applications from doctoral students wishing to develop their studies in the analysis of environmental policies within the framework of the Marie Curie Training Site bursaries. FEEM is a non-profit, non-partisan research institution established to carry out research in the field of sustainable development. Deadline for sending applications: 08 December 2003 [24]www.feem.it/Feem/Pub/Conferences/Programmes/mariecurie.htm 16. RESEARCHER - THE CLIMATE GROUP/CONFERENCE OF THE REDUCERS Researcher Weybridge, Surrey, UK The Climate Group (working title) is a new non-profit organisation currently in the start-up phase. Founded by the Rockefeller Brothers Fund following a successful Conference of the Reducers meeting in the Hague earlier this year, the organisation will seek to catalyse action among governments and companies to address the challenge of global climate change. The organisation will achieve this through the promotion of peer networking among the leading entities (government and corporate) on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the identification and documenting of best practice in an accessible form, advocacy and communications initiatives. The organisation, which has received considerable interest from prospective member organisations, partners and funders, will hold a London launch event in early 2004 and a second major Conference of the Reducers in Toronto in May 2004 (in partnership with the City of Toronto). We are now looking for a highly motivated researcher to support this exciting new initiative. It is envisaged that the role will involve the following tasks. Research into current leaders in the field of emissions reductions at corporate and national/state/local/city government level; Tracking climate change initiatives and developments globally; Assistance in maintaining a contact database of member organisations and key stakeholders; Compilation of a series of case studies covering examples of best practice in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, to form the basis of a How to resource for policymakers and corporate officers globally; Compilation of a series of guides to technological, energy efficiency and policy solutions to climate change; Responding to information requests from member organisations; Producing material for the organisations website and reports; and Contribute to the demands of running a small organisation in a dynamic, fast-moving environment. The ideal candidate will be team-oriented, personable, organised and numerate with excellent written and verbal communication skills. Education to Masters level in a relevant environmental field, 1 to 3 years relevant work experience and a sound understanding of climate change issues are also desirable. Knowledge of MS Office Applications, particularly Word, Excel and Powerpoint, and Lotus Notes is an asset. Language skills are also an advantage for this role. Based on experience, the position will offer competitive remuneration including travel loan and pension benefits. Interested candidates should in the first instance send or e-mail a CV and covering note outlining details of current remuneration to: Jim Walker, Operations Manager, The Climate Group, Abbey House, Wellington Way, Weybridge KT13 0TT. E-mail [25]jim@reducers.org. Deadline for applications: 25th November 2003. - ENDS -