How can the social sciences effectively research the complex, interconnected challenges of climate change, ecology, and sustainability? As the climate crisis evolves, so too must our tools for understanding its social dimensions, from policy and perception to inequality and impact. This seminar explores this question. This one-day event brings together researchers to discuss innovative methodological approaches that move beyond traditional frameworks.
The seminar is aimed at students, PhD fellows, researchers, and faculty members at OsloMet and beyond who are engaged in climate, environmental, or sustainability research.
We are thrilled to feature international experts who are leading the way in this field. Professor Stefania Milan (University of Amsterdam) will share her expertise in Critical Data Studies, exploring how to harness new and unconventional data sources for social science research. Dr. Trude Sundberg (University of Kent) will present on co-participatory methods, drawing on their compelling work researching water insecurity and rights in communities across Southeast Asia.
The event will also showcase a diverse range of innovative work from within OsloMet, including sessions on climate games, media narratives, psychological impacts, and more. The KlimaVel seminar is an excellent opportunity to connect with a cross-disciplinary community of peers, gain new insights, and contribute to the vital conversation about how social science can powerfully and creatively respond to the ecological crisis.
The deadline for registering is 10 November.
The seminar is organized by the KlimaVel research network at the Faculty of Social Sciences.
Program
10.00–10.15: Welcome and Participation. Mentimeter exercise
Part 1
- 10.15–11.45: Participatory methods – research presentations, panel discussion, and Q&A
- Trude Sundberg, Senior Lecturer in Social Policy, School of Social Sciences, Kent University: "Co-participatory methods in research on water insecurity and rights in Southeast Asia"
- Stefania Milan, Professor of Critical Data Studies, University of Amsterdam, Department of Media Studies: "New data sources and participatory methods"
- Simen Mørstad Johansen, PhD fellow, NOVA/SVA, OsloMet: "Climate games for citizen education"
- 11.45–12:45: Lunch (P46 foyer)
Part 2
- 12.45–13.55: Climate imaginaries and futures – research presentations, panel discussion, and Q&A
- Gøril Borgen-Eide, Senior Advisor, Faculty of Social Sciences, OsloMet: “Speculative fiction, journalism and future scenarios as method”
- Erika Gubrium, Professor, Department of Social Work, Child Welfare and Social Policy, OsloMet: "Welfare state sustainability and extractivism: metabolic ethnographies"
- Marianne Takle, Researcher I, NOVA/SVA, OsloMet: "Cross-disciplinary methods in research on sustainability and future generations."
- 13.55–14.15: Coffee and cake (P46 foyer)
Part 3
- 1415-1445: Reflections/Mentimeter.
Part 4
- 1445–1515: Methodological challenges – research presentations and Q&A
- Yuri Kasahara, Researcher II at NIBR/SVA, OsloMet: «Using large language models for text classification of speeches – How do politicians view state-owned companies in the climate/environment debate?".
- Karine Maria Porpino Viana, Associate Professor, Department of Social Work, Child Welfare and Social Policy, OsloMet: "Methodological challenges and possibilities when investigating perceptions of climate change among children in Norway and Brazil"
- 15.15–15.30: Reflections on the day
