WMO Launches Global Survey on Social Science Capacity in Weather and Hazard Institutes

Geneva, Switzerland — The World Meteorological Organization (WMO), through its Societal and Economic Research Applications (SERA) Working Group of the World Weather Research Program (WWRP), has launched a global survey to assess the role and capacity of social scientists working within meteorological, hydrological, and geohazard institutes.

The initiative seeks to map experiences, perspectives, and challenges faced by social scientists who collaborate with technical experts in weather and hazard services. Organizers say the findings will help strengthen interdisciplinary approaches to climate and disaster risk management, ensuring that scientific outputs are more responsive to societal needs.

Call for Participation

The survey, which remains open for several weeks, invites contributions from social scientists worldwide. Respondents are asked to share insights into their work, institutional support, and barriers they encounter in integrating social science into meteorological and geohazard contexts.

Participants are also encouraged to disseminate the survey widely within their networks to maximize reach. The survey can be accessed online at: https://surveys.enalyzer.com?pid=g6h7b5bi.

Collaborative Effort

The survey is coordinated by Jelmer Jeuring of MET Norway and Carla Mooney of the Bureau of Meteorology in Australia. Both emphasized the importance of gathering diverse perspectives to inform WMO’s ongoing efforts to build stronger, more inclusive knowledge systems.

“We highly value your insights and experiences, and encourage spending a few minutes of your time,” Jeuring noted in the announcement.

Strengthening Global Resilience

By highlighting the contributions of social scientists, WMO aims to improve how meteorological and hazard information is communicated, understood, and acted upon by communities worldwide. The results are expected to guide future capacity-building initiatives and foster closer collaboration between natural and social sciences in addressing global climate and disaster challenges.