Dr George Adamson
Reader in Climate and Society
Research interests
- Geography
Biography
Dr George Adamson moved to King's in 2013, having studied and worked in the Geography, History and Earth Science departments at the Universities of Manchester, Brighton and Sussex.
He brings this interdisciplinary background to his research, which focuses on the complex relationships between climate and society. Since 2016, he has also convened King's Climate Research Hub, a multidisciplinary research cluster focused on questions at the intersection of climate science and society.
He is chair of the postgraduate Faculty Assessment Board in the Faculty of Social Science and Public Policy.
Research
- Cultural readings of climate, and cultural interventions in climate change
- The application of Science & Technology Studies (STS) to climate change
- Historical climatology: incorporating climate reconstruction, long-term determinants of vulnerability, and history of climate science
George's research focuses on the complex relationships between climate and society. As a physical scientist, he tries to understand long-term variability in climate over the last few centuries, particularly in the tropics. As a social scientist, he is interested in the way that societies live within climate variability, particularly how institutions create social vulnerability to climate-related hazards.
Lastly, adopting theories from Science and Technology Studies, he researches how societies 'construct' climate, both through the production of scientific knowledge and through cultural practices that create the 'idea' of climate.
His research is located primarily in India and the UK, with a particular focus on the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO).
Teaching
Undergraduate
- 5SSG2061 Geographical Research Skills
- 6SSG3073 Critical Geographies of Climate Change (Module Convenor)
Postgraduate
- 7SSG5210 Climate: Science and Society (Module Coordinator)
- 7SSGN226 Critical Cases in Risk, Disasters and Resilience
PhD supervision
George would be happy to supervise students in any of the following areas:
- Politics of climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction
- History and philosophy of climate science
- Historical climatology
- Public understanding of climate change
Further details
Research
Physical & Environmental Geography research group
Enhancing understanding of processes, drivers and impacts in water, land, atmosphere and ecosystems to address environmental and societal challenges.
Risk, Hazard & Society research group
Advancing understanding of risk and perception, as well as communication and regulation in a range of environmental, social and country contexts.
King's Climate Research Hub
Studying climate change through the relationship between science, policy and culture, particularly in the developing world.
Climate & sustainability researchers at King’s
King's researchers working across climate and sustainability
Elemental Adaptation: Water and energy security from artificial ice reservoirs
This project explores the potential of Artificial Ice Reservoirs (AIRs) as alternative water sources, and the implications in mountainous regions.
Project status: Ongoing
News
New installation on the Strand will imagine a climate-positive mythical world
Acclaimed design studio Superflux and King’s Culture present 'The Quiet Enchanting', an installation inspired by King’s climate and sustainability research
Project to limit the impact of melting glaciers on nearby people and systems
A new research project led by King’s is working to better support the people and systems downstream of glaciers and limit the melting taking place due to...
Immersive art installation will make changes to climate 'real'
Dr George Adamson, Senior Lecturer in Geography at King’s, has worked with artist Inés Cámara Leret to create the Weather the Weather installation for this...
Transparency around science can help 'Build Back Better' from COVID-19
New paper led by King’s academics says political and uneven access to scientific knowledge affected public trust and paved the way for ‘alternative knowledge’.
New podcast on science, policy and culture in climate change
King’s Climate has launched a new podcast, taking a deeper look at science, policy and culture in climate change.
Seven collaborations launched as part of King's Artists programme
Throughout the 2019–20 academic year, seven new artists-in-residence will be based in departments across King’s College London.
Events
Land-Use, Farming and Net Zero
Join experts from research, policy and agriculture to discuss the implications of the UK Net Zero strategy for farming.
King's Experts Series: Climate Change & Sustainability
The King’s Experts Series is a series of events exclusively for King’s alumni, this webinar will touch on some of the latest research on digital technology...
Please note: this event has passed.
Bringing climate change home
Join us for this open-access seminar with Dr George Adamson about "bringing climate change home".
Please note: this event has passed.
Features
Why El Niño is not to blame for record-breaking temperatures in 2023
Dr George Adamson, Reader in Climate and Society, explains the history behind El Niño, and why it is not the guilty culprit it’s made out to be.
Are women climate scientists judged for speaking out? Not so much, research suggests
Research from the Department of Geography at King's College London has suggested that advocacy in the media won’t significantly harm women climate scientists’...
Research
Physical & Environmental Geography research group
Enhancing understanding of processes, drivers and impacts in water, land, atmosphere and ecosystems to address environmental and societal challenges.
Risk, Hazard & Society research group
Advancing understanding of risk and perception, as well as communication and regulation in a range of environmental, social and country contexts.
King's Climate Research Hub
Studying climate change through the relationship between science, policy and culture, particularly in the developing world.
Climate & sustainability researchers at King’s
King's researchers working across climate and sustainability
Elemental Adaptation: Water and energy security from artificial ice reservoirs
This project explores the potential of Artificial Ice Reservoirs (AIRs) as alternative water sources, and the implications in mountainous regions.
Project status: Ongoing
News
New installation on the Strand will imagine a climate-positive mythical world
Acclaimed design studio Superflux and King’s Culture present 'The Quiet Enchanting', an installation inspired by King’s climate and sustainability research
Project to limit the impact of melting glaciers on nearby people and systems
A new research project led by King’s is working to better support the people and systems downstream of glaciers and limit the melting taking place due to...
Immersive art installation will make changes to climate 'real'
Dr George Adamson, Senior Lecturer in Geography at King’s, has worked with artist Inés Cámara Leret to create the Weather the Weather installation for this...
Transparency around science can help 'Build Back Better' from COVID-19
New paper led by King’s academics says political and uneven access to scientific knowledge affected public trust and paved the way for ‘alternative knowledge’.
New podcast on science, policy and culture in climate change
King’s Climate has launched a new podcast, taking a deeper look at science, policy and culture in climate change.
Seven collaborations launched as part of King's Artists programme
Throughout the 2019–20 academic year, seven new artists-in-residence will be based in departments across King’s College London.
Events
Land-Use, Farming and Net Zero
Join experts from research, policy and agriculture to discuss the implications of the UK Net Zero strategy for farming.
King's Experts Series: Climate Change & Sustainability
The King’s Experts Series is a series of events exclusively for King’s alumni, this webinar will touch on some of the latest research on digital technology...
Please note: this event has passed.
Bringing climate change home
Join us for this open-access seminar with Dr George Adamson about "bringing climate change home".
Please note: this event has passed.
Features
Why El Niño is not to blame for record-breaking temperatures in 2023
Dr George Adamson, Reader in Climate and Society, explains the history behind El Niño, and why it is not the guilty culprit it’s made out to be.
Are women climate scientists judged for speaking out? Not so much, research suggests
Research from the Department of Geography at King's College London has suggested that advocacy in the media won’t significantly harm women climate scientists’...