ESRC Methods Festival, Room 3.16
University of Bath, UK

STEPS co-director Andy Stirling (SPRU) is speaking on Nexus Methods as part of the 7th ESRC Methods Festival.

The presentation is split into two parts:

1. The depth, scope and diversity of ‘nexus’ challenges to methodology
2. An illustrative practical response: the STEPS pathways approach and multicriteria mapping

Abstract: Confused notions of ‘the Nexus’ are a burgeoning instrumentalising fashion. Yet imperatives are growing, to address complex global interactions between natures, technologies and societies – and consequent harms, opportunities and injustices. Resulting challenges span expedient distinctions between ‘systems’, ‘sectors’ and ‘settings’. They transcend reified notions of ‘place’, contrived divisions between ‘levels’ and ‘scales’, ‘science’ and ‘society’ and cherished boundaries between ‘quantitative’, ‘qualitative’ and ‘hybrid’. With biases, drivers and power relations in research also part of the focus – ‘method’ and ‘action’ are inseparable. Aims are not just to inform policy, but invigorate democratic struggle. This session will explore practical implications for methodology.

This event is only open to registered participants at the ESRC Methods Festival.

Find out more

The Nexus Network

Discussion paper: Transdisciplinary Nexus Methods by Andy Stirling (2015)

STEPS Centre: Methods and Methodologies portal