This week Katharine Vincent has been in Malawi to visit field sites for research being undertaken through the Climate Adaptation and Resilience (CLARE) Behavioural Adaptation for Water Security and Inclusion (BASIN). project. BASIN is using insights from behavioural and psychological sciences to research adaptation behaviours and practices. The transdisciplinary team comprises practice-based partners who are keen to use these insights to support adaption for inclusive water security.
In Malawi, Water Witness and the University of Malawi have identified a case study to explore various questions. These include: what motivates community volunteers to support adaptation and disaster risk reduction, how to improve the uptake and use of climate information, what determines the adoption of adaptations, and how to enhance accountability of public officials.
The team visited a tea growing cooperative that has been pioneering environmental and water management in Mulanje and a district disaster reduction and management committee that plays a key role in supporting disaster preparedness and response in Chikwawa. The purpose was to further contextualise research questions prior to the next period of data collection. They also visited University of Malawi where BASIN PI, Professor Declan Conway, led a seminar.