Initiative on Climate Adaptation Research and Understanding through the Social Sciences

ICARUS: Initiative on Climate Adaptation Research and Understanding through the Social Sciences

Vulnerability and adaptation are key concepts in the social science literature on climate change. They have long inter-linked histories. Scholars of development, disaster management and mitigation, hunger, famine, and migration, and ecological systems have contributed insights on the meanings and drivers of vulnerability. Development of systematic ideas about adaptation continues to occur in a variety of fields – in both the ecological and the social sciences. The ways these writings are applicable to understanding and intervening in climate-related stresses, crises and responses remain vigorous arenas query and debate. In recent years there have been many calls (by IPCC, NSF, Stern Review and others) for greater social science engagement in climate research. ICARUS responds to these calls.

 

Over 150 Climate Change Scholars and Professionals Gathered at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, for the ICARUS II Conference May 5-8, 2011.

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One-hundred and fifteen presenters and approximately one-hundred and fifty total participants, from twenty-five countries gathered May 5th to May 8th exchanging ideas, discussing climate change and adaptation strategies, and laying the ground work for future collaboration and research. Organized by Arun Agrawal, Maria Carmen Lemos, Ben Orlove, and Jesse Ribot, this conference drew an overwhelming response.  ICARUS began three years ago with a group of a dozen researchers passionate about bringing greater attention to the challenge of climate change. Last year University of Illinois hosted ICARUS I, featuring approximately fifty speakers.

Following the Call for Papers for this year’s conference the ICARUS organizers received over 375 climate change and adaptation related abstracts! With the gracious support of donors from University of Michigan and University of Illinois the ICARUS Organizers provided over 35 students and international attendees with funding to join in this important Conference.

To learn more about the ICARUS II Conference: Climate Vulnerability and Adaptation: Marginal Peoples and Environments, visit the Conference Presentations Page.

The conference organizers would like to thank the following sponsors for the success of this Conference:

Dean’s office at the School of Natural Resources and Environment, the Rackham Graduate School, the Center for South Asian Studies, the South Africa Initiative Office of the Center for Afro-American and African Studies, the Center for African Studies, the Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies, the International Institute, the Environmental Law and Policy Program at the Law School, the Center for Southeast Asian Studies, Social Dimensions of Environmental Policy (SDEP) at University of Illinois and SNRE faculty.

To stay informed on upcoming ICARUS Conferences, events and publications check back on our website!