The Flagship Social Sciences and Humanities for Transition(s)(SSH4Ts) promotes sustainable consumption and production by considering individual and collective behaviour, which is shaped by historical, geographical, ethical and cultural factors, as a key driver of interconnected, ecological, social and economic transitions. From this perspective, such behaviour is understood to be embedded in the broader systems of values, beliefs and norms that permeate society as a whole, and which vary over time and across different geographical areas.
Firstly, behavioural change largely depends on scientific knowledge being accessible to the general public. In this respect, the humanities and social sciences play a crucial mediating role, enabling engineers and scientists to translate and communicate their findings to non-specialist audiences.
Secondly, this mediating role extends to economic actors, engineers and scientists themselves, who are social beings whose choices are shaped by their institutional, cultural and economic contexts. Engaging more deeply with the humanities and social sciences can therefore strengthen their sense of responsibility, fostering greater awareness of social needs, collective well-being and environmental concerns.
Finally, these two dimensions highlight a broader insight: sustainability cannot be treated as an autonomous or purely technical sphere. It can only be addressed holistically within a societal context in which consumers and producers are both embedded. Social justice, aesthetic values, conceptions of nature and economic growth, as well as institutional, collective and individual forms of responsibility are interwoven paradigms that jointly shape so-called green practices.
By drawing on the social sciences and humanities, the Flagship will contribute to transforming representations, norms and patterns of behaviour, fostering a multi-scale, cross-disciplinary conversation for a sustainable future.
CONTACT
Emmanuelle Gurtner (Université de Lorraine) – emmanuelle.gurtner<at>univ-lorraine.fr
Stéphane Guy (Université de Lorraine) – stephane.guy<at>univ-lorraine.fr
Karoline Gritzner (Technical University of Leoben) – karoline.gritzner@unileoben.ac.at