Communicating Sustainabilities

COST Action 2026 Sustainable Communications

We are putting together an application for COST Action funding to be submitted in autumn 2026.

We are developing our proposal along the following strands: 
  1. There is no agreed definition of the term ‘sustainability’.  This is at one a difficulty and an advantage.   Sustainability is often broken down into economic, social, cultural and environmental sustainability and different groups emphasise different aspects of this four-way division. But even within each of these, there are differences.  This allows for a multiplicity of voices and views, all of which need to be respected and brought into discussion and negotiation
  2. There is often strong ideological resistance to the idea of climate change etc and the need for sustainable practices, often based on fear of economic losses individually, or at state level etc., and hence a reluctance from political parties to proactively engage.
  3. This is often accompanied by mixed or very negative messaging in the traditional and new media, the negative representation of climate activism and strategic promises of alternative solutions from businesses and politicians.  Fake news plays a considerable role here.
  4. Many stakeholders are therefore reluctant to engage with and in discourses of sustainability and, even when the impact of climate change and the need for concerted action are recognised, many NGOs are reluctant to be incorporated in what they see as mainstream and conformist approaches to challenging climate change. 
  5. Just Transitions and the role of the Green New deal.
  6. AI is both a factor of fake news and also a potential solution to various sustainability issues.
  7. Need to build understanding and capacity in future generations. From primary school to university (Green Humanities) and researchers

We would particularly (but not exclusively!) welcome non-academic parters and partners from Inclusiveness Target Countries: https://www.cost.eu/about/strategy/excellence-and-inclusiveness/ 

If you are interested in joining the Action or would like further information, please contact Tom Bartlett or Ben Clarke. 

 

 

 

  

Open Air Concerts and Climate Change

I am exploring possible research collaborations around open-air arts and cultural events and how these practices are being affected, or may be affected, by climate change. I am not currently working towards a specific funding scheme, but would be interested in connecting with colleagues who might like to develop the idea further, potentially towards a future funding application or publication.

My current interest is in the history of open-air performance of classical and traditional music in Galicia since the nineteenth century, and in how changing climatic conditions are affecting these practices today. I welcome perspectives from other disciplines and methodological approaches, as well as colleagues working on different geographical contexts or other forms of open-air arts and culture.

Email: Eva.MoredaRodriguez@glasgow.ac.uk