Climate Research Forum
Overview
The Climate Research Forum, known as the CRF, exists to provide a safe space in which the world’s leading experts in climate science, law and policy can explore the unknown, the uncertain and the ambiguous – always with a focus on real-world impact. Recognising that many of the greatest challenges sit at the intersection of disciplines, we actively seek to break down silos and help experts learn one another’s language. This means lawyers appreciating the possibilities open to scientists and scientists learning the standards lawyers need to meet.
Our members work across academia, research, policy and practice around the world, both independently and within organisations. They come together on a voluntary basis for a series of plenary discussions and knowledge-sharing sessions. As new questions arise, members can apply for seed funding, individually or in teams, to kick-start pioneering projects that might be too early-stage to attract funding elsewhere.
The CRF is led by its Secretariat based within the Oxford Sustainable Law Programme, itself a world-leading hub of climate science and legal collaboration.
What makes us special
Curated membership – forging new relationships through a carefully-selected network of specialists across climate science, law and policy, bringing together expertise that may not otherwise connect.
Global scope – creating opportunities to share knowledge and perspectives across jurisdictions, disciplines and contexts, including between the Global North and Global South.
Space for exploration – providing a semi-structured space to explore emerging questions, hunches, and uncertainties with experts beyond your usual field or professional network.
Targeted knowledge-sharing – bringing in members and external experts to provide focused insights in response to questions and knowledge gaps identified through discussion.
Responsive seed funding – enabling members to turn emerging questions into collaborative research and exploratory projects, particularly where there is potential to break new ground and generate significant real-world impact, but where an idea is still too early-stage or exploratory to attract funding elsewhere.
How we operate
Thematic Working Groups
The CRF is made up of four thematic Working Groups, currently:
- Climate Finance
- Climate & Health
- Loss & Damage
- Systemic Mitigation
Working Group Chairs
Each Working Group is supported by two Co-Chairs, who provide strategic direction, substantive input and community leadership. Chairs help shape priorities and the research agenda, engage with members and their ideas, support the development of potential projects, and connect members to encourage participation.
Working Group Membership
Full membership is open to experts working across climate science, law, economics and policy. We are particularly focused on ensuring geographical diversity and broadening participation to Global South experts. Members participate in their individual capacity and are expected to contribute independently of any institutional, commercial or other interests that could affect, or be perceived to affect, their contributions to the Group.
CRF Working Groups follow a simple, collaborative cycle:
Identify the challenges: The Secretariat and Working Group Co-Chairs convene full-group discussions to identify the most pressing and important interdisciplinary questions facing the field.
Explore the gaps: Where discussions surface new questions and important knowledge gaps, Working Groups Members can put forward proposals for seed funding to support further research and exploration.
Share the knowledge: The identified gaps and questions feed into Knowledge-Sharing sessions, drawing on contributions from members and external experts.
Build the community: Beyond the formal programme, members value being part of a collaborative community — with opportunities to build connections and develop collaborations that extend well beyond the CRF itself.
Leadership
The CRF is led by Head of Secretariat, Maud Sarliève, with support from Jo Lowndes, Executive Assistant, and strategic guidance from WG Chairs and the CRF Advisory Board. The Advisory Board helps shape the CRF’s overall direction and priorities, provides strategic oversight of its activities, and supports decisions on Working Group membership and the allocation of seed funding. The Secretariat works closely with the Working Group Co-Chairs and Advisory Board to ensure that the CRF remains focused, responsive and connected to the needs of its community.
Get in touch
Head of Secretariat, Maud Sarliève, is always keen to hear from potential new members as well as those interested in supporting the CRF’s work more broadly.
If you are interested in joining the CRF as a Working Group Member, please get in touch stating:
- Which Working Group you are most interested in
- Your role and how your work supports this Working Group’s focus
- Which knowledge gaps you are most interested in exploring
Email Maud: climateresearchforum@smithschool.ox.ac.uk
