Training

Social Science Methods for Conservation

The Conservation Social Science Training Programme provides participants with the knowledge and practical skills needed to understand the relationships between people and nature and to integrate social science into conservation practice. The training programme was developed and originally delivered by the University of Warwick, as part of the SOCIAT framework which has been applied and refined across a wide range of conservation and restoration initiatives.

 

The programme is led by Professor Nikoleta Jones, an environmental social scientist with more than 20 years of experience in research, training, and practice. Training is delivered by a team of experienced academics from the University of Warwick and other leading UK universities, bringing together expertise in conservation social science, stakeholder engagement, social outcomes, monitoring and evaluation, and social research methods.

Participants will gain a practical understanding of the principles of conservation social science and develop skills in stakeholder engagement, understanding social outcomes, questionnaire design, qualitative interviews, and monitoring, evaluation, and Theory of Change. By the end of the programme, participants will be better equipped to generate robust social evidence and integrate social considerations into conservation planning, implementation, and learning.

Topics covered

  • Conservation Social Science: The Basics
    What is conservation social science and why does it matter?
  • Stakeholder Engagement
    Who are the people affected by or involved in conservation, and why should we engage them?
  • Social Outcomes of Conservation Projects
    What are we trying to understand about how conservation affects people?
  • Questionnaires
    How can we collect quantitative information about people’s knowledge, attitudes, behaviours and experiences?
  • Interviews
    How can we gain deeper insights into people’s perspectives, experiences and values?
  • Monitoring, Evaluation and Theory of Change
    How do we use social data to monitor and evaluate whether conservation projects are achieving their intended outcomes?

The course includes

  • 6 * 2 hours live training sessions by experts.

  • One-to-one mentoring sessions to discuss how conservation social science methods can help you in projects you are involved.

  • 12+ hours of independent learning and practical exercises.

  • 12 months access to SOCIAT pages including resources, publications, reports and tools.

  • A Cetificate of Professional Development recognising approx. 25 hours of learning.

Who is it for?

The SOCIAT Training Programme is open to anyone interested in understanding and assessing the social outcomes of conservation, nature restoration, and any other initiative affecting both people and nature.

Participants may include:

  • Nature restoration practitioners
  • Protected area managers
  • Environmental consultants
  • Staff and volunteers from NGOs and community organisations
  • Researchers, students, and academics
  • Public sector professionals
  • Project managers responsible for stakeholder engagement and social impact assessment
  • Monitoring, evaluation, and learning specialists
  • Sustainability and natural capital professionals
  • Anyone seeking to strengthen their understanding of the social dimensions of environmental projects
 

These examples are not exhaustive, and we welcome applications from individuals with a wide range of professional backgrounds, experiences, and interests.

No advanced social science background is required.

Registration

Expressions of interest are now open for the next Training Programme.

 

Places are limited and will be allocated to create a diverse and balanced cohort of participants from different sectors, regions, and levels of experience. Applications will be reviewed following the registration deadline to ensure a balanced cohort and to help tailor the programme to participants’ needs and experience. 

To apply for the programme, please complete the registration form here.

If you have any questions about the training, delivery format, or suitability for you, please contact the EcoTransform team at contact@ecotransform.co.uk.

 

Key Dates

  • Registration closes: 15 September 2026
  • Places confirmed by: 25 September 2026
  • Programme start date: 13 November 2026.
    • 13 November 2026 – Live online session*
    • 4 December 2026 – Live online session
    • 8 January 2027 – Live online session
    • 29 January 2027 – Live online session
    • 19 February 2027 – Live online session
    • 12 March 2027 – Live online session
    • February-March 2027 – 1 * Individual mentoring session
  • Programme end date:  March 2027

*Live sessions will be held on Fridays from 13:00–15:00 UTC, a schedule selected to accommodate participants from a range of international time zones.

Fees

The standard course fee for the SOCIAT Training Programme is £600 per participant.

Participants may choose to:

  • Pay the full course fee of £600 in advance; or
  • Pay in three instalments of £200 (October-December-February).

The programme combines expert-led teaching, practical exercises, peer learning opportunities, personalised mentoring, and access to a comprehensive library of resources to support participants in applying SOCIAT approaches within their own projects and organisations.

To ensure meaningful interaction, personalised feedback, and opportunities for discussion, places are limited.

Subsidised Places

A limited number of subsidised places are available for participants who may otherwise face financial barriers to participation.

 

Our Social Enterprise Commitment

EcoTransform is a social enterprise dedicated to strengthening connections between people and nature. We aim to keep the SOCIAT Training Programme accessible while ensuring high-quality delivery and fair compensation for trainers.

Any surplus generated through the programme is reinvested into activities that strengthen connections between people and nature, including community-based initiatives, capacity-building activities, and projects that promote the social benefits of conservation and nature restoration.

 

By participating in the Training Programme, you are not only investing in your own professional development but also supporting wider efforts to create meaningful connections between people, communities, and the natural environment.

Testimonials

“One of the most useful training programmes I have attended. The combination of practical methods, real-world examples, and personalised feedback helped me immediately apply social impact assessment approaches within our restoration projects.”

Environmental Consultant

 

“The course provided an excellent introduction to conservation social science. The sessions were engaging, the materials were highly practical, and the one-to-one mentoring helped me adapt the methods to my own work.”

Nature Restoration Practitioner

 

“What sets this programme apart is the opportunity to learn directly from leading experts while discussing challenges with participants from different countries and sectors. I left with new skills, useful resources, and a much clearer understanding of how to evaluate social outcomes.”

Researcher and Project Manager