CSSN is an international network of social science scholars focused on understanding the cultural and institutional dynamics of the political conflict over climate change.

ABOUT CSSN

The Latest

Latest
Is Climate Obstruction Different in the Global South? Observations and a Preliminary Research Agenda
In anticipation of the COP26 Glasgow United Nations Summit on Climate Change, this position paper draws attention to a series of research themes and potential questions to ask on the role of climate obstruction in the Global South.
Latest
New ‘net zero’ standards could transform the climate — unless they’re derailed
CSSN scholar Jessica Green writes about the importance of the International Organization for Standardization's net zero standard for the Washington Post.
Latest
Whose policy is it anyway? Public support for clean energy policy depends on the message and the messenger
Research from CSSN scholar Emily Diamond finds that certain clean energy policy message and messengers work across partisan divides.
Latest
A Question of Utter Importance: The Early History of Climate Change and Energy Policy in Sweden, 1974–1983
New research from CSSN scholars Kristoffer Ekberg and Martin Hultman traces the development of two early framings on climate change in Sweden that still delays climate change mitigation today.
Latest
Overcoming Climate Obstruction Seminar Series
This fall, the Institute at Brown for Environment and Society and the Climate Social Science Network are hosting a seminar series on climate obstruction.
Latest
This is how climate skeptics spread false information online
CSSN scholar Martin Hultman is interviewed on SVT about how climate skeptics spread false information online
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CSSN in Action

The Latest Research
 The latest releases of research from CSSN Scholars around the world, advancing knowledge about climate conflicts and organizations obstructing action on climate change.
Our Working Groups
 CSSN working groups bring together scholars with shared interests, for discussion and collaborative research. The working groups will provide input into the CSSN Research Agenda. The groups are self-organizing and directing, and we hope to provide seed funding.
Our Projects
 CSSN scholars have several projects underway that evaluate the institutional and cultural dynamics of climate-related political conflicts.

Welcome to CSSN

CSSN Seeks to:

  • Coordinate, conduct, and support peer-reviewed research into the institutional and cultural dynamics of political conflicts around climate change,
  • Assist scholars to communicate the results of this research to policymakers, the public, and the wider climate change community, and
  • Conduct educational activities regarding the results of the research to inform the political, legal, and media communities.

Featured Scholar: Christina E. Hoicka

CSSN Scholar Christina E. Hoicka studies the diffusion of low-carbon and renewable energy innovations for societal transformation. Dr. Hoicka holds a Bachelor of Engineering, a Masters in Environmental Studies, and a PhD in Geography. She conducts inter-and transdisciplinary research, currently combining the fields of energy geography, sustainability transitions and regional studies. Dr. Hoicka’s current research is focused on understanding the emergence of clusters of low-carbon and renewable energy innovations and energy citizenship.

Learn more about Christina E. Hoicka.

Featured Research

Solar Geoengineering Research in the United States: Key Critical Questions

In a new CSSN Position Paper, CSSN Scholars Prakash Kashwan, Duncan McLaren, Jennie Stephens, and Kevin Surprise outline three areas of key questions to ask about any effort to advance solar geoengineering research using public funds.

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