Uncertainty and crisis can stem from a wide range of sources – including, but not limited to, economic volatility, climate change, environmental disasters, pandemics, forced migration, armed conflict, food insecurity, political instability, social movements, and technological disruption. These phenomena often challenge existing policy frameworks, strain social structures, disrupt the operations of organisations and expose systemic inequalities. This thematic area invites research that critically engages with the causes, dynamics, and consequences of uncertainty and crisis across local, national and global contexts. It encompasses the persistent, emerging, and often intersecting challenges that disrupt the stability of individuals, communities, organisations, institutions, and societies.  

Projects may take any unit of analysis- individuals, households, communities, firms, NGO’s, public institutions or systems. The research question and proposed impact must be relevant to and reference social science research.   Research aligning with broader normative objectives, including sustainable development, equity enhancement, peace building, development of resilient systems and infrastructures, along with wellbeing optimisation, is particularly valued.

Projects for this theme seek to understand the nature and causes of crisis and uncertainty as well as responding to crisis with relevant strategies, interventions and resilience practices. Studies could investigate how crises are responded to, aiming to develop appropriate strategies, interventions and resilience practices. Further research could explore the underlying causes or mechanisms that contribute to why particular issues remain unresolved or escalate into crises. This includes identifying structural barriers, social and institutional blind spots, governance failures, or informational deficits. Proposals might investigate how factors such as complexity, disruption, unpredictability and data scarcity shape the experience and evolution of crises.   

In relation to responding to crises, research may explore how individuals, organisations, governments, and international bodies respond to crises. This strand could include analysis of institutional responses, crisis governance, policy innovation, community resilience, adaptive capacity, and risk mitigation. Doctoral researchers might study new models of coordination or propose frameworks for enhancing societal resilience.  Given the difficulty of accessing reliable data in times of uncertainty, we particularly welcome proposals that employ novel or mixed methods, including digital and field-based data collection methods such as real-time data collection, digital ethnography, participatory methods, or the creative use of big data.