GECHS

Mark Pelling’s main research interests are in social adaptation to environmental risk with a particular focus on urban contexts and vulnerability to natural hazards and climate change in poorer countries and amongst the politically marginalized . To date research has focused on issues of risk governance at a range of scales including studies of grassroots leadership, linkages between community based organization and international development agencies and the influence of contrasting national governance regimes on risk reduction. Empirical data has been collected from the Caribbean (Guyana, the Dominican Republic and Barbados), the Russian Federation and the UK. Work has recently sought to synthesis theory on social capital and social learning to build up an institutional theory of adaptation to climate change (see the Rapid Climate Change Project). In addition to research supported by academic awards, Mark has undertaken substantial research for UNDP, UN-HABITAT, DFID and Tearfund. Mark is currently researching linkages between natural disaster, social and political instability and conflict with funding from the UK Economic and Social Research Council New Security Challenges Programme. Mark is Chair of the RGS-IBG Climate Change Research Group.