MSc Environment, Science and Society

Open Day

The next Geography Graduate Open Day will be taking place in the Department on Monday 3rd June 2013. For further information and to book a place please e-mail f.mannion@ucl.ac.uk

Overview

Biodiversity loss, climate change, water availability, biotechnology and resource use are prominent topics in political and public debate, but environmental issues are not just scientific issues. They invariably include a range of economic, political and cultural factors too. As a result scientific knowledge about the environment has an increasingly high, but contested value in decision making. Important questions include:

• How is scientific knowledge translated into action?
• Whose knowledge matters?
• From where does science draw its authority?
• How are ideas about managing the environment shaped by changing social and political values?
• How could environmental policy-making be more democratic?
• Can economic growth ever be environmentally sustainable?
• Do businesses or governments or the public take most care over the environment?
• How should the public be involved in environmental planning?
• Can we continue to sustain consumption at current rates?

The MSc in Environment, Science and Society has the following aims:

• to provide an advanced level of understanding of theories and concepts that underpin social science research at the nature-society interface;
• to explore the different discourses and contested knowledge claims at the centre of environmental politics;
• to develop skills that help students to understand the changing context, process and politics of environmental decision-making;
• to provide a broad-based training in social science research skills;
• to appreciate the connections between theory, research and policy in debates about environmental change.

Inspired by the concepts and methods of social science, this Master's course explores the changing relationship between nature and society in a variety of geographical contexts. Enlivened by these debates, this course examines the ways in which environment, science and society are interwoven with issues of politics, power and knowledge in more complex ways than might be suggested by any conventional technical management 'solution.' The course thus fosters intellectual engagement grounded in analysis of contemporary environmental issues and policies. It is aimed at students from both academic and professional backgrounds who want to reflect on a range of ideas from across social science to help us understand questions such as:

• How can we understand contemporary scientific debates from a social science perspective?

• How and when is scientific knowledge translated into action?
• To what extent are environmental sciences political?
• What kinds of expertise are included or excluded in environmental decision-making?
• Who is empowered to speak for the environment?
• To what extent are environmental management practices shaped by changing social and political values? What are the consequences of this?
• How democratic is environmental policy-making and should it be more democratic?
• In what ways can the public be involved in environmental planning?
• How are goals of economic growth and environmental sustainability linked? To what extent are and can they be combined?
• How and why have businesses and governments adapted to and shaped environmental agendas?
• How can we understand contemporary consumption? Why and how do people consume in their daily lives?
• How sustainable are contemporary lifestyles and what are the most effective ways of enhancing sustainability?

'Environment, Science and Society' is a one-year full time interdisciplinary taught MSc course and we will consider applicants with natural science, social science or humanities degrees who are interested in exploring the society-environment relationship. The course is designed for applicants:

• who want to extend their academic studies or go on into research in academic, policy or NGO contexts;

• who want to take some time out from careers in the environmental sector to reflect on how new ideas might inform their professional practice;

• who want to develop academic knowledge and skills for environmentally related jobs in public and private sector institutions.

The Environment, Science and Society MSc programme is one of a suite of Master's at the Geography Department of University College London, taught within newly refurbished accommodation, with seminar rooms, computer facilities, laboratories and common rooms. The department is also closely associated with the UCL Environment Institute, enabling inter-disciplinary links and contact with key national figures in environmental policy debates. In addition the department hosts the Thames Estuary Partnership, an NGO who work to bring together stakeholders concerned about the habitat and biodiversity in the tidal Thames. The course was established in 1997, and is currently convened by Dr Samuel Randalls.

Structure

Topics covered in the course include:

• theories about the role of scientific knowledge in shaping policy and about the role of citizen and consumer knowledge in contributing to sustainable futures;
• the meaning of the concepts of deliberative democracy, environmental governance and sustainable development and their application in the analysis of environmental policy-making;
• the value of social theory to understanding the relationship between nature and society;
• the emergence of climate change as an issue for scientists, economists, politicians, ethicists and policymakers;
• theories of social vulnerability and disaster risk management in relation to natural hazards;
• theories of contemporary practices of consumption.

Keywords for this Masters (MSc) course: environmental social science, climate change, environment and society, environmental politics, sociology of environmental science, environmental sociology, green politics, environmental activism, sustainable development, sustainable consumption, sustainability, environmental knowledges, nature-culture, conservation, nature conservation, actor-network theory, political ecology, practice theory, fisheries conservation, protected areas, wildlife parks, national parks, hazards, democracy, environmental governance, environmental geography, environmental studies, green governmentality, natural resource management

Course Structure and Content

The MSc in Environment, Science and Society runs over a full year. There are two routes through the course depending on the level of research methods training that students choose. The ‘standard route’ maximizes the choice of options in term 2. The ‘research route’ maximizes the opportunity for research methods training in term 2. The differences are outlined in the table below. For those students who are funded by the ESRC or who wish to apply for UK government research funding the ‘research route’ is compulsory.

2013/14 Modules as follows.  Please note these may be subject to change.

TERM 1 (September-December)

In term 1 all students take four modules. Three are core modules, which establish the framework of the course. In addition all students also take one module on social science research methods, which focuses primarily on qualitative research methods.

COMPULSORY MODULES (Term One)

Students also take one of the following:

These courses are term-length modules, and they are organized around a weekly two-hour class (using a mixture of lectures and seminars), which is complemented by extensive guided reading, independent student research and coursework preparation. They are assessed entirely by coursework (a combination of essays, book reviews, research reports, policy analysis), there are no unseen examinations. The research methods course and the social theory course are taught in conjunction with other MSc staff teams. Students are encouraged to follow up discussions with staff and discuss coursework through an office hours system.

TERM 2 (January to March)

OPTIONAL MODULES

In term 2 students take slightly different paths depending on whether they are following the ‘standard route’ or the ‘research route.’

If they are following the ‘standard route’ students choose four optional modules on specialist and policy relevant case studies, but do no further research methods training. If the 'research training route' is taken it is compulsory to take 'Social Science Methods II' and then three optional modules. Students choose from a list of course modules that cover the central themes of the Environment, Science and Society MSc  (we recommend students take 2+ modules from GEOGG026, 030, 043,  061 and 066 [now with two separate course codes 067/068]) and can choose to complement this with modules from other MSc courses offered by the department. Some of the more popular modules with ESS students are listed above, but others are available. One optional module may be taken outside of the department subject to approval.

PLEASE NOTE: The range of options in any particular year will vary depending on staff availability. At this stage we are expecting that for the 2013-14 academic year, GEOGG065 and URBNG007 will not run. Short-notice changes and alterations may be made to this list or the structure as to which choices of options are available.

*An extra charge applies to this module. For academic year 2013-14, the planned location is China (Beijing) and the estimated cost c.£950. Alterations are possible due to unforeseen circumstances.

TERM 3 (April to September)

In the second half of the year students complete a research dissertation (60 credits). This is a substantial piece of independent research, devoted to a relevant topic chosen by the student in consultation with their academic supervisor, course staff members and student colleagues. The dissertation is based on original research involving data acquisition and analysis. Work on the dissertation is carried out independently, although the student can consult with their supervisor at intervals throughout the five month period in order to ensure that the project is progressing practically and intellectually. For many students the dissertation is the highlight of the course, giving them the opportunity to apply the ideas and concepts that they have been discussing in the taught elements of the course. The range of topics that has been covered by ESS students is extremely broad and some examples are given in the list below. A successful dissertation provides evidence of effective critical analysis, research design and organizational skills.

Assessment

All the taught modules are assessed through a varied range of coursework tasks including individual essays, group work, book reviews and diaries. Assessment of the taught component of the course comprises 60% of the overall final degree. The research dissertation (of 10-15,000 words), submitted in early September, counts for 40% of the overall assessment.

During the course students will be expected to:

• explore the key theoretical debates underpinning environmentalism as it has emerged over the twentieth century, paying specific attention to debates between realist and social constructionist positions;
• engage with critical social theories, explore the power-knowledge relations between expert, science-based knowledges and lay, vernacular knowledges;
• gain a deeper understanding of the popular bases of environmental concerns and the barriers to reflexivity, which are impeding change at individual and institutional levels;
• evaluate the different forms of institutional and public participation in environmental decision-making at local, national and international levels;
• analyze the differential ‘take-up’ of particular environmental scientific discourses in environmental politics and policies at international, national and local levels;
• analyze the production of natural scientific and, especially, social scientific knowledge claims about the human dimensions of environmental change over the last 30 years;
• gain insight into how environmental policy is formed, promoted and implemented and how to make it more democratic;
• reflect on the relative benefits and costs of regulation and the different modes of public policy such as market environmentalism, command and control mechanisms and public-private partnerships;
• acquire an in-depth understanding of the social scientific research practices and evidence used by academics, the public sector and private institutions;
• complete a research dissertation which will demonstrate assimilation of transferable research skills in information collection and management, computing, communication and presentation, project management and team-working, and critical thinking.

Staff

• Jan Axmacher
• Russell Hitchings
• Peter Jones
• Ben Page
• Sam Randalls (Programme Convenor)
• John Twigg

Fees

Fees information is at www.ucl.ac.uk/current-students/money/2013-2014_fees/2013-14_postgrad_taught

Please note that optional choice modules in term 2 may incur additional costs for accommodation and transport associated with residential fieldclasses or fieldwork. Full information on a variety of sources of funding for graduate study can be obtained via the UCL Admissions Scholarships homepage.

UK/EU Students

The MSc in Environment, Science and Society is recognised by the ESRC as a research training designated Master's course.

• Information on sources of funding for UK/EU students, from UCL Scholarships to career development loans, is available here.
• Overseas Students
  There is a range of targeted funding opportunities for overseas students. The MSc in Environment, Science and Society is recognised by most major funding bodies. Further information on funding opportunities is available here. In the past, we have had particular success with students applying to the following schemes:
• British Chevening Scholarships
• Shell Centenary Scholarships (non-OECD applicants)
• Karim Rida Said Foundation (Syrian, Jordanian, Iraqi, Lebanese or Palestinian applicant

The deadline for most of these awards is the start of March each year, though for some awards as much as 12 months notice is required. Please follow links for further details.

You are also strongly encouraged to contact your own Ministry of Education or Education Department, who will have details of most funding schemes and who will be able to advise you of your own government's conditions for studying abroad. You should also contact the nearest British Council office in your own country, who will have details of scholarship schemes and provide information and advice on educational programmes and living in the UK. If there is no British Council office, then contact the nearest British Embassy, High Commission or Consulate. There is additionally funding available from sources such as the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank and the European Commission, whom you should contact directly. For further information on studying in the UK as an overseas student please contact the UCL International Office.

Apply

Academic enquiries should be made to Dr Samuel Randalls (e-mail: s.randalls@ucl.ac.uk) in the Department of Geography at UCL or, for administrative enquiries, please contact the admissions assistant in the department (masters@geog.ucl.ac.uk). You should normally have at least a 2:1 or equivalent qualification at undergraduate level (in humanities, social sciences or environmental sciences) but we will consider applicants with 3+ years relevant work experience who don't quite meet these requirements. The department currently requires a Good level of English in the IELTS Academic or equivalent qualification. We would welcome further questions about the course, so please feel free to get in touch via e-mail or make an appointment to come and meet the course staff.

It is possible to take the MSc course part-time - please contact the course convener for details of the part-time structure.

To apply online or download an application form, please click here.

Application for 2013-14 admission closes early August 2013. We will not accept any applications after this date. Applicants who require a student visa should do their utmost to submit the programme application form before the end of July to ensure that there is enough time to process all the necessary paperwork.

Open Days

Geography Graduate Open Days will be taking place on Wednesday 27th February 2013 and Monday 3rd June 2013. For further information and to book a place on one of these days, please e-mail f.mannion@ucl.ac.uk

Recent Dissertation Titles

Students are encouraged to develop their own ideas and interests into dissertation projects. The dissertation must be consistent with the Environment, Science and Society programme goals, but students have selected a wide variety of different topics and methodological approaches in past years. Students will be allocated a supervisor to help advise them on their projects.

• Priorities for environmental justice: the relationship between intergenerational and intragenerational equity
• Sustainability in sport: The sustainability implications of controlling environmental conditions at Centre Court, Wimbledon
• Environmental governance and actor participation in site conservation and management: A case study from Dwejra Hertiage Park, Malta
• Sewage sludge to biosolid: An early-stage transformation governance regime
• Fear and loathing: Irish travellers and English landscapes
• Contested conservation: governmentality, anti-politics and the Chagos Marine Protected area
• Marine governance transitions: scaling-up to marine protected area networks
• The transformation of agricultural knowledges in the Moyen Sebou, Morocco
• Engaging in the Brazilian forest act debate: The role of scientists
• Understanding the winter warmth practices of the UK university students: Changing thermal expectations through the lifecourse
• Sinful matters: Christianity and climate change
• Renewable energy as a perfect solution to climate change? Critical analysis of the renewable energy discourses: ecological modernisation and governmentality
• Mooring and mobility: Continuous cruising on east London waterways
• Hydraulic fracturing in the UK parish: Exploring risk framing and communication, perceptions and the nature of trust
• Air Quality Egg
• Citizen-science and public-science relations in the study of birds in Chile
• In search of sustainability: An investigation into changing perceptions and experiences through a local food network in the UK
• To what extent does deliberative democracy contribute to a successful UK marine governance model: A study of the Balanced Seas project
• Contextualising culture in waste practice: A social practice theory approach to recycling in Cyprus
• Corporate social responsibility and environmental sustainability in the Greek banking sector: An analysis of policies and motives of Greek banks
• Public participation and the performance of water user associations in Chinese irrigation management
• In the quest of environmental governance: Assessing public participation in Chilean environmental law
• Eastern promises: consumption in Bulgaria - a study of food consumption practices in Plovdiv
• Big fish in a small pond: framing success for environmental NGOs - a case study of the Hudson river environmentalism
• The exceptionality of waste: an analysis of the notions of government and resistance through the case study of the waste emergency in Campania, Italy
• The discursive construction of climate change science: a political-ecological reading of "Climategate" in the quality press of the UK
• Geography of transitions: the contribution of localised processes in designing sustainable energy structures
• Towards a theory of adaptation: climate change and healthamong the Pokot of Kenya
• Adapting to change or changing adaptation: a conceptual evaluation and critical discourse analysis of the meaning of climate change adaptation in Tanzania
• Beyond the pragmatic: achieving just and effective national climate laws - a critical study of the UK climate change act 2008
• The fox in the city: exploring affective human - animal relations in and around London
• Public participation in the clean development mechanism (CDM) and its local sustainable development impact: with the case of Kamchay hydropower project in Cambodia
• Indoctrination or emancipation: exploring educational controversy around film based climate change education packages for primary level
• The role of social influences, emotional values, and monetary values in clothing consumption and disposal in young female students
• Exploring elite ocean-going sailing skippers' relationships with the ocean as a drive for marine conservation
• The new battle for Blair Mountain: reclaiming and remapping the history and culture of Appalachia through radical environmentalism
• Governmentality, gender and the discourses of the adaptation fund
• Educating the environmental citizen: politics between the state and civil society in Singapore

Further Information

A short brochure can be downloaded here	A more detailed course handbook can be downloaded here.