Robert Coates
Robert Coates started his PhD at the Brazil Institute in September 2011. Robert's research examines disaster politics in Brazil, drawing on serious landslides and flood incidents in the mountain region of Rio de Janeiro state. Underpinned by the global discourses of climate change and sustainable economic development, he is interested in local adaptation to environmental change in politics and society. His research takes in disaster management and preparedness by municipal, state and federal authorities, together with community and civil society responses. At a theoretical level Robert employs a multidisciplinary approach to explore the relationship between changes in society, politics and environment. He is supervised by Anthony Pereira and Jeff Garmany.
Contact:
robert.coates@kcl.ac.uk
Educational and professional background
Robert previously worked in the development sector and as a travel journalist in the UK, the Caribbean, and Brazil. He co-authored nine travel guides including Rough Guides to Rio de Janeiro and South America, and published numerous reports and articles for the press and nonprofits.
Robert has an MSc in Globalisation and Latin American Development from London's Institute for the Study of the Americas, an MSc in Postcolonial Politics from Aberystwyth, and a BA First Class Honours in International Relations from Nottingham Trent.