Knowing Risk: Embedding Warning Systems and Environmental Monitoring in Community Environmental Histories and Citizen Science

Climate-change exacerbated flooding and drought in sub-Saharan Africa, and a scarcity of meaningful information concerning their scope/impact, results in ineffective warning systems for immediate risks, and limited environmental monitoring that assesses both ‘risky areas’ and sustainable, 'safer' land management. The challenge for national/supra-national policy on hazard and response is to build on information gathered using low-cost methods that are inclusive, ensuring community experience of risky landscapes can be centered in warning systems that are effective for all, and land use design. This project comprises: (1) undertaking a Malawi-based university/community/state collaboration that values Community Environmental Histories and Citizen Science alongside satellite/drone-based landscape analysis in making risky landscapes known; and (2) participatory action research on the structurally inequitable relations between communities, universities, government and (I)NGOs that marginalise climate change experience/expertise, noting how and in what form those most at-risk and vulnerable can shape policy on monitoring for climate change, and warning systems.

Research Team: Professor Deborah Dixon, University of Glasgow; Dr Wilfred Kadewa Malawi University of Science and Technology; Dr Marion Kajombo, Malawi University of Science and Technology; Dr Lazaros Karaliotas, University of Glasgow; Dr Sarwar Sohel, University of Glasgow; Professor Cecilia Tortajada, University of Glasgow; Dr Jiren Xu, University of Glasgow