Call for Authors for the next Earth System Governance Science Plan

Call for Coordinating Lead Authors and Lead Authors to Shape the next Earth System Governance Science Plan

Since its launch nearly two decades ago, the Earth System Governance Project has been guided by successive Science Plans that have articulated a shared vision, clarified core values, and defined the Project’s distinctive contribution as a scholarly community. As the current Science and Implementation Plan (2018–2028) nears its conclusion, we are entering a new phase: the development of a Science Plan, provisionally for 2029–2038.

The current Plan is a substantial document that has served the community well. Building on this foundation, the next Science Plan will be more focused and accessible (approximately 20–30 pages), setting clear intellectual directions while being complemented by other key synthesis efforts. These include the work of the International Panel on Earth System Governance, successive edited volumes drawing together insights from the Project, and the ongoing work of the ESG Taskforce on Knowledge Cumulation. Detailed implementation planning will be addressed separately in a related Implementation Plan led by the International Office.

The new Science Plan will be developed through an open and inclusive process, grounded in dialogue with the wider Earth System Governance community, and led by an outstanding author team under the guidance of the Project’s Scientific Steering Committee.

If you are an active member of the ESG network and are keen to help shape the Project’s intellectual direction for the decade ahead, we warmly invite you to consider applying. This is an opportunity to contribute to a shared endeavour and to help define the questions and ambitions that will guide our community into the future.

Composition and roles of the author team

The author team will comprise around 3–5 Coordinating Lead Authors (CLAs) and a larger number (e.g. 10–12) of Lead Authors (LAs). The CLAs will typically be more experienced researchers who will coordinate and lead the overall development of the Plan, including engagement with the wider ESG community. Lead Authors will represent a broader range of career stages and experience levels and will contribute to specific parts of the Plan.

CLAs will be appointed by the ESG Project’s Scientific Steering Committee, while Lead Authors will be appointed by the CLAs in consultation with the Scientific Steering Committee. The ESG Project’s International Office will support the author team, for example through logistical support for meetings and through engagement and communication around the Plan.

All CLAs and LAs are expected to commit to their roles for the full duration of the process. This includes regular participation in author meetings and timely, constructive, and substantial contributions to the text. The peak period of work is expected to run from late 2026 to late 2027. In total, CLA roles may require approximately 4-6 weeks of work time, while LA roles may require around 2-3 weeks. Author positions are not remunerated but constitute significant service contributions to the network. As with the current Science and Implementation Plan, we envisage that the new Science Plan will be adapted into a high-impact journal article that attracts substantial attention from the wider sustainability science community.

Selection criteria

Criteria relevant to the overall composition of the team:

Gender and geographical representation

Disciplinary and methodological diversity

Mix of career stages

Criteria for individual authors:

Track record of active involvement in the ESG Project

Emerging or established record of high-quality research in the field of Earth System Governance

Ability to work collaboratively in a research network setting

Experience working in interdisciplinary and/or transdisciplinary teams

Coordinating Lead Authors: demonstrated capacity to lead multi-author teams

How to apply

Please send your CV and a brief cover letter (no more than two pages) to the International Office (ipo@earthsystemgovernance.org).

The cover letter should outline your suitability for the role with reference to the criteria above and indicate whether you wish to be considered for a Coordinating Lead Author and/or Lead Author position.