Environmental and Social Justice Issues (Critical Methods in Social Justice Research)

This book uses a declarative mapping methodology to examine a range of issues relating to environmental and social justice issues, including climate change, homelessness, refugees, food insecurity, and racial and gender inequality. The book explores how we can bring about change in order to have a meaningful impact on these problems, using a literature-based approach to identify and analyse this through the Declarative Mapping Method, showing how this methodology can be used in the context of these issues. The authors build a body of knowledge based upon published research, to offer a template that may be used to bring about meaningful and appropriate changes in human behaviour in a variety of social/ecological justice contexts. In a world where most of the global challenges we face are a result of human behaviour, the book applies psychological principles to gain a deeper understanding of our responses to world issues. Case studies are included to show how specific strategies can be used to address problems, and a holistic perspective offers strategies and insights into addressing these challenges. This is an ideal text for researchers and students interested in environmental and social issues, especially those looking to find ways to address them through research methodologies.

Dr. Peter Steidl is a business consultant, author, speaker, and educator. His main interest lies in understanding why we behave the way we do and finding ways to positively shape behaviour on an individual, organizational, and societal level.

Prof. Paul M.W. Hackett has wide experience in social science and humanities research and is the originator of the Declarative Mapping approach to qualitative research. He holds a PhD in psychology and a PhD in fine art. He has held appointments at several universities, including Oxford, Cambridge, Tufts, Harvard, Cardiff, and Durham.

Ava Gordley-Smith is a PhD research student at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David. Her research aims to develop a multidimensional psychological framework for understanding the relationship and intersection of attitudes toward ecological and social justice issues.