Climate, Risk and Society

Program Overview

The MA in Climate, Risk and Society at Durham University provides a comprehensive understanding of the social, political, and environmental challenges posed by climate change. Through an interdisciplinary approach, students explore risk perception, vulnerability, adaptation strategies, and the role of science and technology in risk management. The program equips graduates with the knowledge and tools to respond effectively to the emerging threats of climate change in various fields, including government, NGOs, environmental consultancy, and research.

Program Outline

Climate, Risk and Society - MA

Degree Overview

The MA in Climate, Risk and Society at Durham University provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the complex challenges and risks associated with climate change. It explores how these risks are perceived, managed, and mitigated through a social science lens, focusing on the interconnections between climate change, risk, and resilience. The program aims to equip graduates with the knowledge and tools to respond effectively to the emerging social, political, and environmental threats posed by climate change.

Objectives:

• Develop a deep understanding of the human-induced impacts of climate change and their societal consequences.
• Explore the social dimensions of risk and resilience, including the role of perception, vulnerability, and adaptation.
• Analyze and evaluate current risk management strategies and their effectiveness.

Program Description:

This interdisciplinary program combines human geography, social science, and risk analysis to provide a holistic perspective on climate change. Students will engage with a range of topics, including:

• The social and political dimensions of climate change
• Risk perception and vulnerability
• Climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies
• Institutional responses and policy frameworks
• The role of science and technology in risk management
• The impact of climate change on human health and well-being
The program offers a variety of learning opportunities, including lectures, seminars, workshops, and a research dissertation. Students will also benefit from the expertise of the Institute of Hazard, Risk and Resilience, gaining valuable insights from practitioners and academics at the forefront of risk research.

Outline

Course Structure:

The MA in Climate, Risk and Society consists of a combination of core modules and a research dissertation, completed over a year for full-time students or two years for part-time students.

Core Modules:

• Climate Risk and Society: Explores the human influence on climate change as a source of societal risks and challenges, focusing on tools for responding to these evolving threats.
• Understanding Risk: Provides a foundation in the key theories and concepts of risk, encompassing human action and environmental events.
• Research Methods for Global Challenges: Introduces students to a range of social science research methods, such as interviewing, participatory research, thematic mapping, and critical data storytelling.
• Risk Frontiers: Delves into current risk research and equips students with skills to interpret, critique, and collate emerging research.
• Social Dimensions of Risk and Resilience: Offers advanced training in understanding the social dimensions of risk and resilience, focusing on environmental hazards, climate change, security, migration, and insurance.
• The Dissertation (Research or Vocational): Students choose either a research-based dissertation, conducting original independent research, or a vocational dissertation, combining research with collaborations or placements with external organizations.

Schedule:

Students can expect approximately eight hours of module contact time per week during terms one and two, with the total study time for full-time students averaging around eight hours per day during term time.

Assessment:

Assessment methods include traditional essays, presentations, reports, and innovative formats like podcasts and portfolios. The research dissertation is a key component, allowing students to synthesize their learnings and conduct original research.

Teaching

The program employs an interactive and participatory approach, fostering individual attention and tailoring learning to students' interests. Teaching methods include lectures, seminars, tutorials, workshops, and practical sessions, with content-driven approaches.

Careers

Graduates of the MA in Climate, Risk and Society are well-equipped for careers in various fields, including:

• Government
• Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
• Charity sector
• Environmental consultancy and management
• Conservation
• Town planning
• Geopolitical risk analysis
• Market research
• Development work
• Public policy
• Social research
• Logistics
• Youth and community work
• Education
• Energy
• Utilities
• Tourism
• Banking
• Law
• Public relations (PR)
• Publishing
• Journalism

Full Time Fees

Tuition fees

Home students £13,500 per year EU students £25,900 per year Island students £13,500 per year International students £25,900 per year The tuition fees shown are for one complete academic year of study, are set according to the academic year of entry, and remain the same throughout the duration of the programme for that cohort (unless otherwise stated).