Narrative research in climate change adaptation—Exploring a complementary paradigm for research and governance

In taking narrative beyond its use as an extractive social research methodology, we argue that narrative research offers an innovative, holistic approach to a better understanding of socio-ecological systems and the improved, participatory design of local adaptation policies

Jana-Axinja Paschen; Ray Ison

2014

Scholarcy highlights

  • In taking narrative beyond its use as an extractive social research methodology, we argue that narrative research offers an innovative, holistic approach to a better understanding of socio-ecological systems and the improved, participatory design of local adaptation policies
  • In climate change adaptation research, human-environment relationships are conceptualized in terms of coupled socio-ecological or ‘ecological-socio-economic’ systems
  • We argue that in taking the theoretical implications of narrative research seriously, the narrative orientation provides a complementary paradigm for adaptation research and practice because it draws attention to questions fundamental to the production of knowledge including actors and actions
  • Reviewing literatures across adaptation research and other disciplines, we discuss the value of narrative ethnography and analysis for climate change adaptation policy and practice
  • We introduce the concept of Climate Risk Narratives, their origin, and their evolution through a trans-disciplinary engaged research activity around urban climate resilience

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