Beyond Adaptation - Transformational Adaptation
Tracks
Beyond Adaptation
Monday, October 13, 2025 |
4:00 PM - 5:45 PM |
Speaker
Kimberley Anh Thomas
Temple University
Can we deliver transformative adaptation through “projects” and what are potential alternatives?
5:00 PM - 5:45 PMBiography
Kimberley Anh Thomas is an Associate Professor and Graduate Chair in the Department of Geography, Environment and Urban Studies at Temple University (Philadelphia, USA). She contributes to critical adaptation studies through research on uneven vulnerability to environmental hazards, climate finance, and agrarian change.
Ritodhi Chakraborty
Lincoln University
Can we deliver transformative adaptation through “projects” and what are potential alternatives?
5:00 PM - 5:45 PMBiography
Ritodhi Chakraborty is a lecturer (assistant professor) at Lincoln University NZ. He works at the science-practitioner interface, investigating epistemic plurality, wellbeing of rural and Indigenous communities and politics of climate adaptation. He is co-developing a set of Climate Justice Tools which include the Maladaptation Assessment Tool and the Knowledge Justice Protocol.
Dr Meg Mills-Novoa
Assistant Professor
University of California
Can we deliver transformative adaptation through “projects” and what are potential alternatives?
5:00 PM - 5:45 PMBiography
Meg Mills-Novoa is an assistant professor with a joint appointment to the Division of Society and Environment in the Department of Environmental Science, Policy & Management and the Energy and Resources Group. Meg is the director of the Climate Futures Lab, a hub for social science research on the impact and equity of climate change responses.
Chanrith Ngin
University of Auckland
Can we deliver transformative adaptation through “projects” and what are potential alternatives?
5:00 PM - 5:45 PMBiography
Chanrith Ngin is an Honorary Academic and Research Associate at the University of Auckland. He was previously Senior Research Fellow at the Cambodia Development Resource Institute and Visiting Fellow at ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, Singapore. Currently, he is a co-editor of Routledge Studies in Global Land and Resource Grabbing for Taylor & Francis Group.
Prof Lisa Schipper
Professor of Development Geography
University of Bonn
Can we deliver transformative adaptation through “projects” and what are potential alternatives?
5:00 PM - 5:45 PMBiography
Lisa Schipper has spent nearly three decades researching adaptation, maladaptation and development. She is professor of Development Geography at the University of Bonn, where she coordinates the AdaptationHive collective for Critical Adaptation Studies.
Dr Jon Hellin
International Rice Research Institute
Nurturing transformative adaptation to climate change
4:00 PM - 4:15 PMBiography
Thirty years’ agricultural research experience from Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America on climate change adaptation and social equity. Fifteen years’ experience fostering interdisciplinary research teams and building trans-disciplinary networks to enhance climate change transformative adaptation.
Ms Nicole Baker
Principal
Hope Road
Enabling transformational adaptation through designed transformative practices
4:15 PM - 4:30 PMBiography
Nicole is a climate strategy and policy expert. She applies futures thinking and systems approaches to empower bold climate decisions. Her work bridges long-term environmental planning with actionable policy, catalyzing change across complex landscapes.
Tristan Schultz, a First Nations designer, researcher, and strategist, has 20+ years of experience across design disciplines. Holding a PhD in Design, he directs Relative Creative and is an honorary fellow at UTS and RMIT. His work focuses on futures thinking, sustainability, and social justice in place transformation.
Amelia Tomkins is a climate risk and resilience specialist with diverse experience using hazard modelling and climate risk analysis to inform design, planning, and long-term strategy in the built environment. Combining her background in climate science and economics, Amelia works with communities and stakeholders to navigate decision-making about how we may protect or adapt what we value in the face of a dynamic and uncertain future climate.
Prof Robbert Biesbroek
Professor
Wageningen University and Research
What is transformational adaptation to climate risks? A global Delphi study with experts
4:30 PM - 4:45 PMBiography
Robbert is professor of public governance and climate change adaptation at Wageningen University.
Ms Safaa Aldirawi
PhD Student
University of Technology Sydney
Applying transformative adaptation concepts in a sectoral context: Lessons from the water sector
4:45 PM - 5:00 PMBiography
Safaa Aldirawi is a PhD student at UTS-ISF specialising in Environmental Engineering. She holds a Master’s degree in Integrated Water Management and Water Governance. Her PhD research focuses on a transformative adaptation approach for enhancing the resilience of community-based water supply systems in response to climate change.
Dr Meg Mills-Novoa
Assistant Professor
University of California
Can we deliver transformative adaptation through “projects” and what are potential alternatives?
5:00 PM - 5:45 PMBiography
Meg Mills-Novoa is an assistant professor with a joint appointment to the Department of Environmental Science, Policy & Management and the Energy and Resources Group. Meg is the director of the Climate Futures Lab, a hub for social science research on the impact and equity of climate change responses.
Kimberley Anh Thomas is an Associate Professor and Graduate Chair in the Department of Geography, Environment and Urban Studies at Temple University (Philadelphia, USA). She contributes to critical adaptation studies through research on uneven vulnerability to environmental hazards, climate finance, and agrarian change.
Michael Mikulewicz is an assistant professor at the Department of Environmental Studies at SUNY ESF. His research is focused on climate justice and climate change adaptation and investigates the inequalities related to the impacts of, and societal responses to, climate change.
Chanrith Ngin is an Honorary Academic and Research Associate at the University of Auckland. He was previously Senior Research Fellow at the Cambodia Development Resource Institute and Visiting Fellow at ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, Singapore. Currently, he is a co-editor of Routledge Studies in Global Land and Resource Grabbing for Taylor & Francis Group.
Lisa Schipper has spent nearly three decades researching adaptation, maladaptation and development. She is professor of Development Geography at the University of Bonn, where she coordinates the AdaptationHive collective for Critical Adaptation Studies.
Ritodhi Chakraborty is a lecturer (assistant professor) at Lincoln University NZ. He works at the science-practitioner interface, investigating epistemic plurality, wellbeing of rural and Indigenous communities and politics of climate adaptation. He is co-developing a set of Climate Justice Tools which include the Maladaptation Assessment Tool and the Knowledge Justice Protocol.
