Objective Adaptation to climate variability and change represents an important challenge for the sustainable development of society. Informing climate-related decisions will require new kinds of information and new ways of thinking and learning to function effectively in a changing climate. Adaptation research requires integration across disciplines and across research methodologies. Currently, we lack the critical understanding of which kinds of knowledge systems can most effectively harness science and technology for long-term sustainable adaptation.This interdisciplinary research programme aims to significantly advance knowledge systems to enable society to adapt effectively to an uncertain climate. The programme is divided into two domains: 1) Understanding climate information needs across society and 2) The social status of techno-scientific knowledge in adaptation to climate change. The whole programme will be applied to the UK context given the sophistication of existing knowledge systems (such as probabilistic climate scenarios) and the progressive climate policy landscape (that requires public authorities to regularly report on adaptation activities).The first objective will be achieved through a targeted comprehensive survey of user needs across UK society. After mapping a selection of diverse adapting organisations, in-depth interviews will be conducted with 70 organisations. The interview protocol will: 1) explore the adaptation context; 2) assess the credibility, legitimacy and saliency of climatic and non-climatic knowledge systems; 3) assess the impact of uncertainty on decision-making; and 4) assess users expectations of what science can deliver. The second domain will use science studies to examine the construction, mutation and use of techno-scientific knowledge in adaptation to climate change. Ethnographic research will be conducted through in-depth interviews with 50 experts working on the UK Climate Projections 09 and the Climate Change Risk Assessment. Fields of science natural sciencesbiological sciencesgeneticsmutationsocial sciencessociologyanthropologyscience and technology studiesnatural sciencesearth and related environmental sciencesatmospheric sciencesclimatologyclimatic changes Programme(s) FP7-IDEAS-ERC - Specific programme: "Ideas" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Topic(s) ERC-SG-SH3 - ERC Starting Grant - Environment and society Call for proposal ERC-2011-StG_20101124 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme ERC-SG - ERC Starting Grant Coordinator UNIVERSITY OF LEEDS Address Woodhouse lane LS2 9JT Leeds United Kingdom See on map Region Yorkshire and the Humber West Yorkshire Leeds Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Benjamin Williams (Mr.) Principal investigator Suraje Xembu Rauto Dessai (Dr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window EU contribution No data Beneficiaries (1) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all UNIVERSITY OF LEEDS United Kingdom EU contribution € 1 045 000,00 Address Woodhouse lane LS2 9JT Leeds See on map Region Yorkshire and the Humber West Yorkshire Leeds Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Benjamin Williams (Mr.) Principal investigator Suraje Xembu Rauto Dessai (Dr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Other funding No data
