Want to have greater impact as a social science leader?

[Rebecca Jefferson]

Hello SSWG list,

This is a great opportunity for those of you working to increase the acceptance and use of social science evidence in your organisations!

I developed the Catalysts programme two years ago, because it was exactly what I had needed earlier in my career. Here’s my story in brief…

Back in 2014 I joined a large UK NGO as the first social scientist within their Centre for Conservation Science. I joined a team of natural scientists, and was responsible for asking “where does people evidence fit?”. Some colleagues were more receptive than others, and I soon learned to make the most of any open doors, even if the door was open just a crack! 

As the ‘social science rep’ I was overloaded with work, both in dealing with people who had bought into the merits of social science (I became the default questionnaire checker, and the person invited to all sorts of meetings across the organisation), and in trying to make the case for the human dimensions of research to those who wanted to get on with business as usual. During the course of my work there, I co-developed the first Social Science Strategy to establish social science as a permanent part of the science department. So this story has a happy ending: social science went from being a slightly weird ‘Rebecca thing’ to being woven through more of the organisational processes and planning. 

That time in my career was rewarding in many ways, and put me on a steep learning and development curve. But it was also lonely, exhausting and, at times I felt as though I was a small fish swimming against a difficult current - it often felt like too little and too unsustainable. 

Twelve years later, has the landscape changed? I’d like to think that the case for social science in conservation is now firmly established, but that isn’t universally true. And, where it is true, there are plenty of resourcing problems, more than ever. Even if the will is there, questions perpetuate about how organisations can do high quality social science with limited budgets, staffing and understanding across the wider staff team?

I wish I’d had training in how to navigate all of this when I was in my previous role. And I wish I’d had a place to go to talk about it with others in a similar position to discuss the challenges and opportunities. And that’s why I created Catalysts.

Catalysts is a four month training and support programme for the ‘social science reps’. Those people might be senior managers, junior researchers, principal researchers - the job title doesn’t matter. What’s important is the potential: you need to shift away from being the social science rep, and become the social science catalyst - the person who can instigate a cultural change across your organisation. Because that will help  your organisation better achieve its conservation outcomes. 

Catalysts 2026 starts in September, and runs until December. It includes two initial days of training, and three monthly meetings, all online. There are a maximum of ten places, and it costs £1,195 (with some flexibility for smaller organisations).  Timings to be confirmed when I know the locations of those joining.

If you are a Catalyst, or know someone who is, I am taking (no obligation!) expressions of interest now. Just reply, let me know a bit about you and your social science ambitions.  Tell me your time zone and some times when you're available and we'll arrange a time to chat.

Best wishes,

Rebecca

P.S. if someone has forwarded you this email, congratulations on your work flying the flag for social science! If you’re interested in social science leadership and pragmatic approaches to embedding social science, so it’s not just you, please do get in touch.

 

 

 

Dr Rebecca Jefferson

reb...@humannature.co.uk

humannature.co.uk

LinkedIn

 

Need to turbo charge your social science leadership skills?  Join the Catalysts Programme starting soon.  Find out more.

 

Email replies may be a little slow, or at strange hours.  This is due to me working part time as I balance home educating and work.  Please nudge if you think you've been forgotten!.