Final Call for Papers: Theorizing social adaptation and adaptation to
climate change (Paper Session)
RGS-IBG Annual Conference, 26-28 August 2009
Sponsored by the Climate Change Research Group (CCRG) and the Planning and
Environment Research Group (PERG)
Session Organizers: Elspeth Oppermann (Lancaster University), Mark Pelling
(Kings College London)
Adaptation to climate change is gaining increased importance on the
socio-political agendas of numerous societies, as well as ‘globally’. There
have been many case studies of contemporary and historical adaptations (and
failures to adapt) to climate change. There are many accounts of adaptation,
from institutional theory through to risk management through to complex
adaptive systems and social psychology approaches. Such accounts come from a
variety of disciplinary as well as theoretical perspectives that can or do
inform contemporary strategies of adaptation. This session seeks to provide
a cross-disciplinary platform for the theoretical discussion of adaptation
per se, particularly with regard to climate change. What is adaptation? What
ontologies structure our understanding of the meaning, value, and enactment
of adaptation? What does it achieve? Is it a product or a process? What
place does effect and intentionality have in the account of adaptation? How
is society conceived and what kind of social characteristics are necessary
for it to adapt, or for it to be adaptable? What are the geographies of
adaptation and what implications might these have for theory building? What
is the function of the ‘event’ in adaptation theory and how is it situated
in relation to conceptions of the social? How might a theory of adaptation
deal with climate change? Does climate change challenge these understandings
of adaptation?
Potential areas for engagement are:
• explication and critique of a theory, or theories of adaptation
• discussion of the ethics and politics of adaptation
• examination of the theoretical framework of an account of adaptation from
a case study
• consideration of the effects of climate change on capacities for adaptation
• exposition of discourses or narratives of adaptation and climate change
• evaluation of methods or practices of adaptation
Convenors: Mark Pelling (Kings College London); Elspeth Oppermann (Lancaster
University); Gordon Walker (Lancaster University)
If you are interested in submitting a paper please send an abstract (maximum
250 words) to Elspeth Oppermann ([log in to unmask]) and Mark
Pelling ([log in to unmask]).
The deadline for abstracts is February 6th 2009. When you submit your
abstract, please include your name, affiliation, contact e-mail, and any
technical requirements you may need.
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