Arctic Research
Planning passage over thin sea ice, Baffin Island, Canadian Arctic
I have conducted community-engaged research with Indigenous Peoples in Greenland and Baffin Island, and was involved in early efforts to characterize the state of climate change adaptation across the Arctic.
The State of Adaptation to Climate Change in the Arctic - Role: Contributing Researcher
These studies systematically assessed what is known about human adaptation to climate change in the Arctic. It utilized formal systematic review methods to examine the peer-reviewed English language literature and provided a clear assessment of the current state of knowledge (e.g. adaptation where, by whom, to what stressors, by what means, and with what effect). I designed and conducted the systematic reviews for these studies. This work contributes to an emerging literature tracking on-the-ground adaptation processes and outcomes, and helps to inform research/policy agendas for addressing key knowledge gaps.
Related publications:
Canosa, I., Ford, J., McDowell, G., Jones, J., Pearce, T. (2020) Progress in climate change adaptation in the Arctic. Environmental Research Letters. 15(9) https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/ab9be1
Ford, J., McDowell, G., Pearce, T. (2015) The adaptation challenge in the Arctic. Nature Climate Change. 5 https://doi.org/10.1038/nclimate2723
Ford, J., McDowell, G. Jones, J. (2014) The state of climate change adaptation in the Arctic. Environmental Research Letters. 9 DOI 10.1088/1748-9326/9/10/104005
The Socio-Ecological Dimensions of Hydrocarbon Development in Greenland - Role: Lead Researcher
This project examined issues emerging from the interaction of hydrocarbon development activities, existing socio-ecological conditions, and concurrent processes of social and climatic change in the Disko Bay region of western Greenland. It identified socio-economic development opportunities, risks of environmental degradation and social disruption, and tradeoffs between known lifeways and new livelihood prospects as well as strategies for improving hydrocarbon governance.
Related publications:
McDowell, G. and Ford, J. (2014) The socio-ecological dimensions of hydrocarbon development in the Disko Bay region of Greenland: Opportunities, risks, and tradeoffs. Applied Geography. 46 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeog.2013.11.006
The Dynamics of Vulnerability Among Inuit Hunters - Role: Lead Field Researcher
This project developed novel ways to blend scientific and local/Indigenous knowledges to demonstrate the dynamics of climate change vulnerability among Inuit hunters. I conducted numerous multi-week trips to Baffin Island (Canadian Arctic) where I traveled with Inuit hunters, documented changes in Arctic landscapes and associated land-use hazards, and met with local community members and decision makers to identify culturally appropriate vulnerability reducing interventions.
Related publications:
Ford, J., … McDowell, G. et al. (2015) Community-based adaptation research in the Arctic. WIREs Climate Change. 7(2) https://doi.org/10.1002/wcc.376
Ford, J., McDowell, G., Shirley, J., et al. (2013) The dynamic multi-scale nature of climate change vulnerability: An Inuit harvesting example. Annals of the American Association of Geographers. 103(5) https://doi.org/10.1080/00045608.2013.776880