A team from Arizona State University, CIRAD, IRSTEA and CEFE (France), Exeter University and Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, lead by SAPECS member Christo Fabricius, have recently received funding from the Belmont Forum for a three-year study to assess adaptations and perceptions of risk and vulnerability in coastal areas. Called MAGIC (Multi-scale Adaptations to Global change In Coastlines), the project addresses a classical wicked problem: how to respond appropriately to risk and vulnerability in coastal zones. Team members include Resilience Alliance members Marty Anderies, Olivier Barreteau, Katrina Brown, Francois Bousquet, Raphael Mathevet and Christo Fabricius (project leader).   With threats coming [...]

Applications are invited for one post-doctoral, two PhD and two Masters positions with the DST/NRF Chair in "Interdisciplinary Science in Land and Natural Resource Use for Sustainable Livelihoods" in the Department of Environmental Science at Rhodes University, Grahamstown. Applications are invited from social, economic and natural scientists interested in research on the use, trade and management of biological natural resources in local livelihoods. Standard NRF level bursaries are available. Commencing date is February 2014.   Closing date: 25th November 2013.   For more details, please visit www.ru.ac.za/static/departments/environsci/documents/Masters&phd/Advert%20for%202014%20cohort.pdf

  MSc or MA bursary available 2014 - 2015: One Masters level bursary (R80 000 pa with additional funding for field costs) is available for an exciting interdisciplinary project in the Eastern Cape and Cape Town, and based at Rhodes University in Grahamstown. Title: Bio-Cultural values and sense of place: implications for personal well-being of urban migrants We seek a motivated and enthusiastic student to conduct Masters research as part of an interdisciplinary team exploring the cultural and spiritual significance of nature in the context of labour migration and its implications for conservation and social-ecological system function. This research project forms [...]

Social-Ecological Risk, Vulnerability and Adaptations to Climate Change in the Garden Route This three-year programme is a collaboration between leading social and ecological scientists at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University and CSIR, South Africa, University of Exeter in the UK, Arizona State University and CIRAD, IRSTEA and CFE in France. We wish to assess actual and perceived risk, vulnerability, and adaptation to climate change, and social learning in three regions: the Garden Route coast in South Africa; the Languedoc-Rousillon in France; and Cornwall in the UK. The project addresses four research issues: Risk and adaptation. How do risk due to climate change; [...]

Belinda Reyers The International Council for Science (ICSU) and the International Social Science Council (ISSC), on behalf of the Science and Technology Alliance for Global Sustainability, announced the members of the first Science Committee for Future Earth, a new 10-year research programme on global sustainability. The science committee will provide scientific guidance, ensure scientific quality and guide the development of new projects. Mark Stafford Smith, Science Director of CSIRO’s Climate Adaptation Flagship in Canberra, Australia will be the inaugural Chair. Melissa Leach, Director of the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) STEPS (Social, Technological and Environmental Pathways to Sustainability) [...]

Graeme Cumming Announcement of the 2012/13 NSTF-BHP Billiton Award Winners The NSTF-BHP Billiton Awards honour and celebrate Outstanding Contributions to Science, Engineering, Technology and Innovation (SETI). These prestigious awards celebrate, acknowledge and promote excellence in the South African Research and Development (R&D) community by cross- cutting sectors, levels, gender, and race, while recognising both individuals and teams. The NSTF-BHP Billiton Awards celebrate scientific research that is professional, innovative, forward looking and relevant to both South Africa and the rest of the world. The awards were established in 1998 and are unique in South Africa, in that the Call for Nominations [...]