International Sociology and International Sociology Reviews

‘Environment and climate change’ is our Topic of the Month for June 2024. On this topic, read in Open Access this article by Maria Laura Ruiu (Northumbria University, UK), Gabriele Ruiu (University of Sassari, Italy) and Massimo Ragnedda (Northumbria University, UK) published in International Sociology, Lack of ‘common sense’ in the climate change debate: Media behaviour and climate change awareness in the UK. Read on to know more about the authors’ trajectory and work.

Maria Laura Ruiu

Gabriele Ruiu

Massimo Ragnedda

Why are you working on this topic? Could you share an experience, a fact or a person who made you get engage on that research?

M.L. Ruiu: I completed my first PhD in Social Science at the University of Sassari (Italy) and earned a second PhD degree in Media and Communication at Northumbria University (United Kingdom). While my initial PhD primarily focused on sociology, my second PhD delved into the media’s construction of climate change narratives. I also worked at the Desertification Research Centre (NRD) at the University of Sassari, where I collaborated with a multidisciplinary team of researchers focused on addressing climate change-related challenges. These educational and professional experiences have greatly contributed to my enthusiasm and passion for the topic. Additionally, collaborating with colleagues from different disciplines, as demonstrated by this paper, has further broadened my perspective on environmental challenges.

G. Ruiu: Prof. Ragnedda and Dr. Maria Laura Ruiu introduced me to this topic. As often happens in research, the spark arose from an occasional conversation about the concept of hegemony and its applicability to the discourse on climate change. Shortly thereafter, we realized that this was not only interesting but also measurable on the empirical ground. We began to collaborate to define an empirical strategy to grasp the concepts introduced in the paper. I believe that we formed a great team with highly complementary competencies.

M. Ragnedda: The role of digital technologies in reducing our human footprint on the environment has been a topic of significant emphasis across various levels of discourse. As we strive to leverage digital technologies for sustainability, it is crucial not only to use these technologies but to do so with a deep awareness of their environmental impact. This awareness forms the basis of promoting digital sustainability, where the focus is on utilizing technologies intelligently rather than allowing them to dictate our behaviors.

In this context, our research delves into the intricate interconnections and interdependencies between the use of digital technologies and environmental sustainability. Specifically, our article investigates the role of both traditional and new media in predicting climate change awareness. Understanding how media platforms contribute to shaping public awareness of climate change is essential in crafting effective strategies for environmental protection.

This study is part of a larger project that places at its core the relationship between digital inequalities and digital sustainability. We examine the three levels of the digital divide: inequalities in accessing digital technologies (first level), unequal digital competencies (second level), and the uneven distribution of benefits from digital technology use (third level). Our research stream focuses on exploring how these digital inequalities influence not only the awareness of climate change but also the behaviors and actions taken to protect the environment.

By shedding light on the connections between digital inequalities and environmental consciousness, we aim to contribute to a more nuanced understanding of how digital technologies can either exacerbate or alleviate environmental challenges. Our goal is to highlight the importance of addressing digital inequalities as a crucial step towards fostering digital sustainability and promoting environmentally responsible behaviors in the digital age. Through this research, we seek to advocate for using digital technologies in ways that contribute positively to our planet's well-being, emphasizing the need for a thoughtful and conscientious approach to digital usage in the context of sustainability.

What would you emphasize about your academic trajectory? Can you highlight which have been your academic positions, universities, awards, departments and research centers please?

M.L. Ruiu: I completed my undergraduate and postgraduate studies in media and communication at the University of Sassari (Italy). Moreover, I completed my first PhD in Social Science at the University of Sassari (Department of Political Science) and earned a second PhD degree in Media and Communication at Northumbria University (Department of Arts, Media and Communication Design, United Kingdom).

After completing my post-doctoral research commitments at the Desertification Research Centre at the University of Sassari, I transitioned to my current role as a senior lecturer in Sociology at Northumbria University within the Department of Social Sciences.

G. Ruiu: I hold a Ph.D. in Economics, Business and Quantitative Analysis from the University of Cassino and Southern Latium (Italy). I’m associate professor in Social Statistics at the Department of Economics and Business, University of Sassari. I’m the secretary of the Italian Society of Historical Demography. I published in several international peer-reviewed journals. My main research topics are currently: climate change perception and media representation of the phenomenon, religious beliefs and demographic behaviours, education and history of education, seasonality of demographic events both in present and past societies, labour market and demographic outcome, integration of migrants in the host societies, measures of subjective well-being.

M. Ragnedda: I am associate professor at Northumbria University (UK) and Emeritus Professor at Lomonosov University (Moscow). I have published 8 monographs (Routledge, Palgrave, Emeralds Publishing), and 9 edited books (Palgrave, Routledge, Lexington Books and Amsterdam University Press), edited 10 special issues and more than 80 articles and chapters. I am co-chair of the working group on the Digital Divide of the IAMCR, Ambassador for the Digital Poverty Alliance UK and a Member of the UNESCO Inclusive Policy Lab.