A comprehensive approach to human sciences leadership in sustainability science
Contribute to interdisciplinary solutions
Our planet’s health faces multiple, multifaceted challenges. Moral, economic and cultural concerns often elude material or technological solutions, and environmental stressors are complicated by power struggles, entrenched interests and destructive disinformation. These complexities make it harder to understand and address the underlying causes of instability and conflict that threaten planetary health. Engaging all disciplines, especially the social sciences and humanities, is a critical step in creating solutions.
Create the Change was designed to respond to these challenges; we are building a human sciences action and accountability framework. This program mobilizes the social sciences and humanities in conjunction with sustainability science to address the moral, cultural, political and economic complexities of securing a healthy planet in which thriving, equitable human societies are aligned with Earth’s biosystems.
The Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory strives to understand the underlying causes of the recurrent instabilities and conflicts. To be successful in this quest we need the engagement of all disciplines, especially the social sciences and humanities.
Peter Schlosser Vice President and Vice Provost of Global Futures at ASU
Information for applicants
Zoom Information Session for FY2026 application: 29 April 2025, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Sign Up
Create the Change: A comprehensive approach to human science leadership in sustainability science has received multi-year funding and we are accepting applications for FY26!
Deadlines for 2025-2026 cycle
- Internal submission deadline:
Friday, May 15, 2025 - Funding organization deadline:
Friday, May 15, 2025 - Discipline or subject area:
Humanities, social sciences and sustainability sciences - Total funding available:
$100,000 - Award range:
$5,000 – $20,000 - Eligibility criteria:
Applicants must be current Arizona State University faculty members of any rank; projects may include collaborators from other universities or outside organizations.
Apply now
Create the Change is built on four pillars:
1) Countering disinformation with “re-information” and counter-speech; conducting dialogues and difficult conversations.
2) Addressing the intersections between social and environmental justice.
3) Embracing alternative knowledge systems and collaborative problem-solving strategies.
4) Educating and collaborating with the next generation of change agents.
Accountability framework
Create the Change participants contribute to a human sciences action and accountability framework, aimed at supplementing and enhancing the traditional scientific accountability frameworks used in sustainability. These are designed to ensure transparency, effectiveness, continuous analysis and reflection on projects, and to improve the process. Our framework will also pursue:
How can environmental problems intertwine with issues of access, health and educational disparities, social prejudices and stereotypes?
Who tells which stories about community problems?
How can we proceed with discussions when facts are insufficient to change minds or behavior?
How can we disaggregate misinformation feeding on fears from realistic descriptions and assessments?
Who is the “we” defining, designing and promoting technological, cultural and behavioral change?
Which groups must be protected from potentially toxic environments and practices because of social positioning (through segregated housing, e.g.) or other forms of marginalization?
Who is the “we” that will benefit most from environmental changes? How will benefits be distributed?
Which previously marginalized groups should be at the table?
Can the cultural infrastructure support necessary changes? If not, what changes to that infrastructure are possible?
Who are the powerful players in this community and why?
What beliefs and practices in different parts of a community might clash with new technologies or related behaviors?