Seeking communities, cities, and climate change case studies

The policy report “What about the people? The socially sustainable, resilient community and urban development” (by Cathy Baldwin, University of Oxford, and Robin King, World Resources, Institute) looks at how the physical environment of cities strengthens communities through influencing their thoughts, feelings and behaviours to take positive actions that help them respond resiliently to the adverse effects of climate change-related adverse weather events and natural disasters. The report is available at the following link: be.brookes.ac.uk/research/iag/resources/what-about-the-people.pdf
http://thecityfix.com/blog/what-about-the-people-unlocking-the-key-to-socially-sustainable-and-resilient-communities-cathy-baldwin-robin-king/

The report is under review with Routledge Publishers for publication as a book in printed and eformats, with global distribution in universities, think tanks, multilateral organisations, NGOs etc under their Environment and Sustainability strand for academic and policy audiences.

The publisher has asked if we would like to expand our content to include further case studies and evidence-based recommendations from around the world (particularly the global south, e.g. Africa, Latin America and Asia) of policies, practical projects or research about initiatives /projects that demonstrate any of the following:

• Urban form or community participation in urban initiatives that supports the behavioural, social, cultural, psychological or physical health aspects of resilience to the adverse environmental effects of climate change, e.g. adverse weather events, periods of extreme temperatures, natural disasters etc.
• Communities adversely affected by climate change – where somehow (incidentally/accidentally) the physical or biophysical/ natural environments (e.g. green spaces) of the city positively support communities’ social/health resilience

If you/your organisation/your colleagues have any written material that would make for informative case studies that explicitly includes qualitative (descriptive/ethnographic) or quantitative data on how the built environment and community participation in development has supported behavioural, psychological, cultural, social or health aspects of resilience, that are readily available and that we could analyse, please let us know ASAP.

These could be project reports, evaluations, journal papers, online articles, etc.

Forward relevant material to Dr. Cathy Baldwin, Research Associate, Institute of Social and Cultural Anthropology, University of Oxford: cathy.baldwin@anthro.ox.ac.uk

We are pleased to announce the Call for Papers for the Aging & Society: Eighth Interdisciplinary Conference, held 18–19 September 2018 at Toyo University in Tokyo, Japan.

Founded in 2011, Aging & Society: An Interdisciplinary Conference provides an international forum for the discussion of the processes of aging; the accompanying individual, family, community, national, and international impacts; and the social and cultural ramifications of aging on societies.

We invite proposals for paper presentations, workshops/interactive sessions, posters/exhibits, colloquia, innovation showcases, virtual posters, or virtual lightning talks. The conference features research addressing the annual themes and the 2018 Special Focus: “Aging, Health, Well-being and Care in a Time of Extreme Demographic Change.”

Submit your proposal by September 29, 2017.

We welcome the submission of proposals to the conference at any time of the year before the final submission deadline. All proposals will be reviewed within two to four weeks of submission.

Visit http://agingandsociety.com/2018-conference/call-for-papers?utm_source=J18A_danF&utm_medium=J18A_danF&utm_campaign=J18A_danF to learn more and submit a proposal.

We are pleased to announce the Call for Papers for the Tenth International Conference on Climate Change: Impacts & Responses, held 20–21 April 2018 at the University of California at Berkeley in Berkeley, USA.

Founded in 2009, the conference aims to create an interdisciplinary forum for the discussion of climate change, its causes, its eco-systemic impacts, and its human impacts. The conference also explores technological, policy, strategic, and social responses to climate change.

We invite proposals for paper presentations, workshops/interactive sessions, posters/exhibits, colloquia, innovation showcases, virtual posters, or virtual lightning talks. The conference features research addressing the annual themes and the 2018 Special Focus: “Engaging with Policy on Climate Change.”

Submit your proposal by September 20, 2017.

We welcome the submission of proposals to the conference at any time of the year before the final submission deadline. All proposals will be reviewed within two to four weeks of submission.

If you are unable to attend the conference in person, you may present in a virtual poster session or a virtual lightning talk. Virtual Sessions enable participants to present work to a body of peers and to engage with colleagues from afar.

As virtual participants, presenters are scheduled in the formal program, have access to select conference content, can submit an article for peer review and possible publication, may upload an online presentation, and can enjoy Annual Membership to the research network and subscriber access to The International Journal of Climate Change: Impacts and Responses.

Visit http://on-climate.com/2018-conference to learn more and submit a proposal.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) Directorate for Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences (SBE) is recruiting for a Division Director, Division of Behavioral and Cognitive Sciences (BCS).  The Division Director provides leadership and direction to BCS, which is responsible for funding research that develops and advances scientific knowledge about the brain, human cognition, language, social behavior, and culture, including research on the interactions between human societies and their environments. BCS programs consider both disciplinary and interdisciplinary proposals. The Division Director is expected to assess the needs and trends involving the scientific areas within the domains of the Division. The incumbent implements overall strategic planning and policy setting for the Division, provides leadership and guidance to Division staff members, determines funding requirements, prepares and justifies budget estimates, balances program needs, allocates resources, oversees the evaluation of proposals and recommendations for awards and declinations, and represents SBE to internal working groups and NSF to relevant external groups. The BCS Division Director fosters partnerships with other Divisions, Directorates, Federal agencies, scientific organizations, and the academic community. The Division Director also oversees performance management of the scientific and administrative staff. Appointment will be considered for one of the following tracks: Permanent Career Senior Executive Service, Limited Term Senior Executive Service, and Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA).

Visit the following link to apply: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/477388200

The Department of Geographical Sciences at the University of Maryland (College Park) invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position at the rank of Assistant Professor in the area of Geographic Information Science.  This position is part of the Center for Geospatial Information Science (CGIS) (see www.geospatial.umd.edu for more information). This position will have its tenure home in Geographical Sciences and is expected to start on or about August 2018. Salary and benefits are highly competitive, commensurate with qualifications and experience.  A PhD degree in Geography, Geoinformatics, or a related discipline is required by the time of appointment. Preference will be given to candidates with postdoctoral experience. Candidates should demonstrate commitment to excellence in research and teaching, and show promise for gaining external funding.

We are seeking an outstanding candidate who will expand the breadth in our research and teaching and enhance our national and international reputation in Geographic Information Science (GIScience).  Candidates are expected to have a demonstrated commitment to teaching and mentorship at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, including working with students and groups from under-represented backgrounds. Successful candidates are expected to conduct research at the leading edge of GIScience, and be able to work in interdisciplinary teams that address significant real-world problems. We especially encourage applications from candidates with a background in geospatial data analysis, and spatial statistics, geospatial programming, spatial data modeling, geospatial visualization and analytics, and big geospatial computing, among others. Possible applied GIS research areas include: natural hazards, urban dynamics, global environmental change; food-energy-water applications; and geospatial intelligence and security among other topics associated with the application of GIScience to societal and environmental issues from local to global scales.

Applications should include a cover letter, a personal statement on background and experience relevant to the position, including research, teaching, and service activities, a signed and dated Curriculum Vitae, reprints of selected peer-reviewed publications, and provide the names, addresses, and email addresses of three references. The Department of Geographical Sciences is committed to increasing the diversity of the campus community. Candidates who have experience working with a diverse range of faculty, staff, and students and who can contribute to the climate of inclusivity are encouraged to identify their experiences in these areas.

For best consideration applications should be submitted no later than November 15, 2017 but the search will continue until a suitable candidate is appointed. Further information on this position and on academic and research programs of the Department and CGIS can be found at http://www.geog.umd.edu. Questions regarding this position can be directed to Search Chair, Professor Kathleen Stewart, stewartk@umd.edu.

To Apply: https://ejobs.umd.edu/postings/53985.

Applications from women and minorities are particularly sought. The University of Maryland is an Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer.