The aim of this working group is to foster rigorous, interdisciplinary research on the culture and politics of climate change, with an emphasis on cities but also with openness to additional sites and topics depending on participants’ interests. Through a series of regular meetings and occasional public events, we will engage emerging debates about cities and sustainability, the cultural politics of environmentalism, the possibilities for green design, the challenge of remaking infrastructure, and the problem of climate change governance. The complex nature of the issue and its impact necessitates a broad, interdisciplinary conversation between scholars across the social sciences, humanities, and professional schools, including fields built around design.

The discussion we envision is also a global one: we welcome scholars working in and across different world regions. The nature of the issue challenges traditional divisions between Global North and Global South but also calls for depth of contextual knowledge. To this end, IPK will provide logistical assistance, meeting space, some funding and assistance in seeking external funds as appropriate to share work in progress on subjects such as:

-Cities and Climate Change

-Democratizing the Green City

-Critical Infrastructures

-Green Design