British Academy Launches Just Transitions to Decarbonisation in the Asia-Pacific

Supported by the UK’s Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, the British Academy and the Science & Innovation Network (SIN) are inviting proposals from UK and Asia Pacific-based researchers in the humanities and social sciences aiming to support around five in-depth studies focused on just decarbonisation transitions in the Asia-Pacific as a whole, and China, India, Japan and Australia specifically

The studies will undertake research, such as focus groups, surveys, and policy mapping that will be brought together into a set of recommendations for policymakers, communities, workers, business and the wider public. The studies will focus on demonstrating the pinch-points and trade-offs faced in the next 20-30 years.

This call focuses specifically on the action required in the Asia-Pacific to tackle climate change and biodiversity loss, to identify the potential disruption and opportunity of decarbonising economies and societies, and to recommend options and pathways for communities, workers, businesses, policymakers and the wider public.

The BA/SIN are keen to support research that examines how to apply Just Transition principles to decarbonisation in the Asia-Pacific region as a whole, and China, India, Australia and Japan specifically and they view this call as an opportunity to build an evidence base allowing them to answer the questions:

• How the notion of just transition is being defined and implemented, in particular by and for whom, and how this may be being contested?
• What are the challenges and pinch points socially, economically and politically that will need to be met for a just transition to take place in the Asia-Pacific, China, India, Australia and Japan?
• How can this process be managed equitably, sustainably and in a socially just manner?
• What are the options and pathways for communities, workers, businesses, policymakers and the wider public to manage the potential disruption and deliver the opportunities of a just transition in the Asia-Pacific?

The lead applicant must be a researcher from the humanities or social sciences and be based at an eligible UK university or research institute, of postdoctoral status or above (or have equivalent research experience) and their position must last at least the duration of the grant funded by the Academy.

Awards of five months in duration and up to £100,000 (80% full economic cost) are available.

Funding can be used to:

• Support the time of the Principal Investigator and Co-Applicants
• Research assistance
• Travel, fieldwork and related expenses
• Networking costs
• Institution costs in hosting and supporting the project, with award-holders expected to base the division of spend on the Full Economic Costing basis at 80%.

Applications must be submitted online by the deadline of 06 October 2021 (17:00 UK time).

Further information can be found here.