Social and Environmental Research Institute

What Social and Environmental Research Institute does

The Social and Environmental Research Institute (SERI) is a private nonprofit research organization founded in 1995 in Greenfield, Massachusetts, by Seth Tuler and Tom Webler, with mentors Thomas Dietz and Paul C. Stern. The institute develops and applies social science research methodologies — participatory processes, vulnerability assessment frameworks, and dialogue-based engagement techniques — to environmental and risk decision-making, with thematic concentrations in public participation, climate change vulnerability and adaptation, human dimensions of risk, and nuclear waste management. Its core proprietary offerings include the VCAPS (Vulnerability, Consequences, and Adaptation Planning Scenarios) process, an oil spill human dimensions impact assessment framework, a consent-based siting framework for nuclear waste facilities, a coral reef behavior intervention program, and a community guide for nuclear waste host communities; VCAPS has been implemented 14 times in 13 communities across 6 states since 2008.

SERI operates exclusively on a grant-funded, professional-services revenue model with no commercial product line or pricing structure. Primary funding flows from U.S. federal agencies (NSF, DOE, NOAA, EPA) and Sea Grant programs, supplemented by international research contracts (notably CICERO, Norway) and foundation/association grants (Railway Association of Canada, Network for Business Sustainability, Oil Spill Recovery Institute). The institute is governed by a small academic-heavy board and operates without subsidiaries, parent entities, or publicly traded instruments.

The customer base is concentrated among federal and state government agencies commissioning research, with secondary use by municipalities for climate adaptation planning and select international research bodies. Outreach is conducted via the seri-us.org website, peer-reviewed academic publications, dedicated project resource sites (vcapsforplanning.org, community guides), and periodic email/newsletter updates. SERI has maintained continuous project funding for 30 years without interruption, is celebrating its 30th year in 2025, and was active as of 2026.

Name

Social and Environmental Research Institute

Legal name

Social and Environmental Research Institute

Website

https://seri-us.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Social and Environmental Research Institute (SERI) is a Greenfield, Massachusetts–based nonprofit research organization developing participatory methodologies and assessment frameworks for environmental decision-making, climate adaptation, and nuclear waste policy, serving U.S. federal agencies, municipalities, and select international research partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental and Social Science Research Services

NAICS

Administration of Environmental Quality Programs (924), Human Rights Organizations (813311), Administration of Conservation Programs (92412)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Climate Change Mitigation & Adaptation (BPAGAGAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Policy, Regulatory & Public Affairs Research (BPAHALAF), Think Tanks, Policy Research & Public Policy Institutes (BPAGAFAO), Stakeholder Engagement, Indigenous/Tribal Consultation & Social Impact (SIA) (EUAHAAAH)

Keywords

• Social science research
• Climate adaptation planning
• Environmental policy research
• Public participation research
• Risk assessment consulting

Headquarters

HQ city

Shelburne Falls

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Research Grants: Primary funding from federal government agencies including NSF, DOE, NOAA, EPA, and various Sea Grant programs for specific research projects on climate adaptation, nuclear waste management, and oil spill response.
2. International Research Contracts: Funding from international organizations including CICERO (Centre for International Climate and Environmental Research, Norway) for climate policy research.
3. Foundation and Association Funding: Research contracts from foundations and associations such as the Railway Association of Canada, Network for Business Sustainability, and Oil Spill Recovery Institute.

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

SERI conducts applied social science research on public participation, climate adaptation, environmental risk, and nuclear waste policy, developing and applying structured methodologies and frameworks (such as the VCAPS climate adaptation process, consent-based siting frameworks, and human dimensions impact assessment frameworks) under grants and contracts from government agencies and international research partners. The institute delivers research outputs through facilitation of community dialogue processes, policy guidance, peer-reviewed publications, and web-based practitioner resources.

Product overview

The Social and Environmental Research Institute (SERI) is a research organization that provides research methodologies, frameworks, and tools rather than traditional commercial products. Its core offerings include: the VCAPS (Vulnerability, Consequences, and Adaptation Planning Scenarios) process for climate adaptation planning; a Coral Reef Behavior Intervention Program with pre-trip media-based interventions; an Oil Spill Human Dimensions Assessment Framework for characterizing impacts; a Consent-Based Siting Framework for nuclear waste facilities; and a Community Guide for nuclear waste host communities. These research tools and methodologies support public participation, risk assessment, and climate adaptation planning across various environmental policy domains.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• VCAPS (Vulnerability, Consequences, and Adaptation Planning Scenarios) Process
• Coral Reef Behavior Intervention Program
• Oil Spill Human Dimensions Assessment Framework
• Consent-Based Siting Framework for Nuclear Waste Facilities
• Community Guide for Nuclear Waste Facility Host Communities

Quantifiable outcome

• VCAPS process implemented 14 times in 13 communities across 6 states since 2008
• +2 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Keystone Policy CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partner in developing web-based resources to help communities navigate engagement with federal and state agencies regarding nuclear waste facility decisions. Joint project to create community guidance materials.
• National Association of Regional Councils (NARC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partner in developing community guidance for nuclear waste facility siting. NARC represents regional councils that can facilitate engagement with local communities.
• GDF WatchminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational partner providing expertise and resources for the community guide project on nuclear waste facilities.
• Research Foundation CUNY - Advanced Science Research CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrime contractor on NSF-funded C-FEWS project investigating climate-induced extremes on the Food-Energy-Water Nexus. SERI works as subcontractor on this initiative.
• CICERO Centre for International Climate and Environmental ResearchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary funder of ACT project tracking Norwegian attitudes and behavioral responses to climate policy instruments. SERI collaborates with Norwegian and European scholars on this international research.
• MIT Sea GrantcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-developer of VCAPS process and funder of multiple climate adaptation research projects. Provided funding for implementation of VCAPS in coastal communities.
• NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor funder of coral reef research, climate adaptation, and oil spill response projects. Provided grants through Coastal Oceans Climate Adaptation Program, Sectoral Applications Research Program, and Coastal Response Research Center.
• National Science Foundation (NSF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary funder of C-FEWS project on food-energy-water nexus and climate extremes. Multiple grants supporting public participation research and climate adaptation methodology development.
• U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunder of consent-based siting research for nuclear waste facilities. Supported development of community guides and stakeholder engagement frameworks for nuclear waste management.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Tellus Institute: Nonprofit research and policy organization focused on sustainability, energy, and environmental planning. Comparable as a small, mission-driven research nonprofit that develops frameworks for community engagement and environmental decision-making.
• Stockholm Environment Institute: International nonprofit research organization working at the intersection of environment and development. Comparable to SERI through applied research on climate adaptation, vulnerability assessment, and stakeholder engagement methodologies for environmental policy.
• Resources for the Future: Independent nonprofit research institution in Washington, D.C. focused on environmental, energy, and natural resource policy. Highly comparable to SERI as a small, mission-driven nonprofit research organization producing peer-reviewed policy analysis and methods.
• Union of Concerned Scientists: Nonprofit science advocacy organization that conducts original research on climate, energy, and nuclear issues and engages in policy and public participation. Comparable to SERI in combining rigorous research with public engagement and federal policy influence.

Broad incumbents

• RAND Corporation: Major nonprofit policy research institution producing rigorous analysis across many domains. Comparable in applying social science methodologies to policy problems including environment and risk, but vastly larger and more diversified.
• Brookings Institution: Major public policy research organization conducting analysis across economic, domestic, and foreign policy. Comparable in policy research methodology and federal influence, though with much broader thematic scope than SERI.
• World Resources Institute: Larger global research organization focused on environment and sustainability. Comparable in climate adaptation and stakeholder engagement work, but operates at significantly greater scale and broader geographic footprint than SERI.
• Carnegie Endowment for International Peace: International nonprofit research organization producing policy analysis including on climate and energy. Comparable in operating as a small, mission-driven research institute with international partnerships and policy influence.

Emerging players

• Climate Central: Nonprofit climate research and communications organization. Comparable in producing applied climate adaptation research and engaging coastal and vulnerable communities, but with stronger emphasis on media and public communication than SERI.

Others

• National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine: Not a peer in the competitive sense, but SERI personnel have served on NAS committees and the organization is both a funder and a venue for SERI's policy-relevant research outputs in nuclear waste and risk communication.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

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Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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