Transformative Change and the Role of Social Science expertise in IPCC’s AR7. Epistemic, Institutional, and Normative Challenges
Karin Gustafsson30 April 2026
As the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) begins work on its seventh global environmental assessment (AR7), this presentation examines how the role of social scientific expertise develops within this process, particularly in relation to the issue of transformative change. The backdrop is that most global environmental assessments, including those of the IPCC, have concluded that moderate and incremental adjustments are no longer sufficient; societies must undergo profound transformations to meet current environmental challenges.
Building on theoretical perspectives on expertise and science–policy relations and drawing on a recent interview study with social science experts participating in AR7, the study analyzes epistemic, institutional, political, and normative questions on how social scientific expertise can and should guide transformative change. By examining this, the presentation contributes to a deeper understanding of the conditions under which social scientific expertise can support transformative change. It also identifies key challenges and tensions that arise when integrating social science into global environmental assessments, thereby advancing broader debates on the role of expertise in global environmental governance.
