I am Ilan Kelman and I work as a researcher at the Center for International Climate and Environmental Research (CICERO);  . I am also co-director of a non-governmental organisation called Risk Reduction Education for Disasters (Risk RED). Through them, I am fortunate in being able to pursue my two main interests in disaster-related research.

First, is a geographic interest that started during my Masters Degree programme: islands. This work examines how islanders and island communities deal with risk and disasters. Second, studies that started during my Ph.D. (which was on an unrelated topic): disaster diplomacy.Disaster diplomacy examines how and why disaster-related activities do and do not contribute to peace.

Other topics I am interested in have included settlement and shelter for people displaced by disasters including conflict, disaster-related education curriculum, and who is dying in disasters and why. These pursuits have led to working with and learning from anyone interested - from promoting my work directly to Heads of State to chatting with taxi drivers about risks in their community.

My collaborators include teachers, charity and non-profit workers, professors, civil servants, consultants, research students, and people affected by disasters. These categories frequently overlap. I do many projects entirely on my own plus I work in teams of all sizes, from one other person to dozens.

My results are primarily focused on disseminating information - completing research and analysis and then writing it up for any venue that might be interested. Fundamentally, I am a scientist meaning that my outputs are academic papers for peer-reviewed journals. But it cannot stop there. I and my colleagues write for books, newspapers, blogs, newsletters, encyclopaedias, magazines, and websites. I have done podcasting, live media interviews, and advocacy to policy and decision-makers in public and private settings. I also use photography to communicate.

The material must always be tailored to various audiences on their terms, rather than on mine. That helps me to learn and to be able to garner ideas, information, and actions from others, and then to translate them for different contexts.
One example illustrating some accomplishments is the Many Strong Voices program which works with indigenous people in the Arctic along with tropical islanders to tackle climate change within the context of wider disaster and development processes. By learning from the Arctic peoples and islanders what they want and need regarding climate change, from international negotiations to local adjustments, I can promote that in other venues, to indicate why those experiencing the effects of climate change need assistance and of what form. Similarly, I can provide ideas, information, and support from sources that the Many Strong Voices participants might not otherwise have access to.

Throughout this work, I strive for achieving the best science possible. Then, I use that for exchange - educating while being educated - along with policy and action for improving how disasters are averted and dealt with. I thank the many who have supported me en route, inspiring me during and leading me to the career and life pathway that I have selected.

Ilan Kelman

Oslo, Norway

http://www.ilankelman.org/contact.html

July 2010