Research on the human components of global change: Next steps

Abstract

Although research on human interactions in global change is advancing rapidly, future research in this field will require changes in the scale and scope of social science research projects. The social sciences will also require new institutional structures that can organize and manage largescale, multinational, and multidisciplinary research. This article (a) summarizes what has taken place in planning for research on the human components of global environmental change; (b) assesses the readiness of the social science community to undertake large-scale research in this field; (c) identifies areas where large-scale research can and should be undertaken; and (d) suggests criteria that should guide the social science community as it moves towards large-scale research projects.