The Social Dynamics of Climate Governance

A Northeast Regional Climate Sociology workshop

Dates: April 8-9, 2027
Location: Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey
Abstract Submission Deadline: December 1, 2026

For the third annual Northeast Regional Climate Sociology workshop, we invite submissions on the topic of climate governance. As the impacts of climate change become more urgent and difficult to ignore each year, understanding the governance of climate change and attempts to prepare for and address its impacts is crucial. Nevertheless, both in the US and internationally, climate action has been limited by the social processes that constitute decision-making, ranging from diplomatic compromise to hostile denial. For this workshop, we interpret “governance” broadly, including the various spaces, actors, and scales that are working to shape and respond to climate change. Relevant questions include, but are not limited to: Who has the power to make decisions about climate change and why? How is climate change being managed between and across scales? What are the opportunities and limitations of existing institutional arrangements for facilitating climate action? What are the roles of government, non-government, and private sector organizations in informing climate solutions?

Please submit a 300-word abstract via this Google form that details your presentation topic and the research on which it is based, due December 1st. While this workshop emphasizes sociological approaches to examining climate change, this call is open to social scientists in other fields exploring topics of sociological relevance. Priority will be given to early-career researchers (grad students, postdocs, and assistant professors) and to those within train or driving distance of New Brunswick, NJ. Small travel grants will be available for all presenters. Email danielle.falzon@rutgers.edu with any questions.