Welcome to The Pearl
From the Director
As The Pearl launches, we celebrate nearly two decades of work turning climate science into action through the Walker Institute. The Pearl carries that legacy forward – linking people, place, and evidence to build fairer, faster adaptation and resilient livelihoods, with a particular focus on supporting communities in fragile and conflict-affected contexts. Recognised by the World Climate Research Programme as a Global Regional Hub for “My Climate Risk”, The Pearl deepens our commitment to connecting research, policy and practice where climate risks compound existing vulnerabilities.
I hope you will explore our stories, join upcoming events and stay part of this growing interdisciplinary community of practice driving evidence-based adaptation around the world.
Professor Rosalind Cornforth, Director of The Pearl
Hear our Director introduce The Pearl
The Pearl connects science, policy and practice to support climate-resilient livelihoods around the world. Explore some of our current projects below.
Project Showcase
Climate Health in Africa Integrated Risk Research (CHAIRR)
Focus: Integrating climate science and health policy to tackle Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) and protect vulnerable communities across Africa.
Approach: Applies ICECCAP and ICICLE storylines to model climate-health risks and guide “no regret” adaptation actions.
Impact: Strengthens evidence-based health policy and capacity for integrated climate-health planning.
Why It Matters: Proactive adaptation protects vulnerable communities from emerging disease risks in a changing climate.
Voices from the Field: “These storylines are helping us to understand how climate and health interact” – Deputy Director, Strategic Lead Livelihoods
Climate Adaptation in Lao PDR
Focus: Supporting Lao PDR’s first National Adaptation Plan to build resilience to floods, storms, landslides, and extreme heat.
Approach: Developed climate risk assessments for six provinces using ICICLE storylines, combining climate, environmental, and socio-economic data to identify robust, locally appropriate adaptation options.
Impact: Informed the latest draft of Lao PDR’s National Adaptation Plan for UNFCCC submission; strengthened national and provincial capacity through workshops and technical training.
Why It Matters: Demonstrates how locally grounded climate storylines can translate science into national adaptation policy.
Recent Events
COP Climate Action Studio
11-21 November | Agriculture Building, The Pearl Studio
The COP Climate Action Studio shined bright again this year, welcoming PhD students from the SCENARIO and FoodBioSystems DTPs to collaborate on amplifying climate voices through live media and creative storytelling from COP30, showing how research connects to global action.
UNFCCC UoR Student Engagement
13 November | 12:30-13:30 GMT | Agriculture Building 1L06
The Pearl hosted an event during the Green Festival, UNFCCC Student Engagement – What’s happening at COP30? It featured PhD reflections and a showcase of the COP Climate Action Studio, including a live link to COP30 where Professor Emmanuel Essah reported directly from the negotiations.
COP30 UK: Strengthening UK’s Climate Resilience: Unlocking Socio-Economic Value Through Satellite Climate Intelligence
12 November | 11:30-13:30 GMT | Online
The Space4Climate event held in partnership with the UK Space Agency, National Centre for Earth Observation, and the Royal Meteorological Society, explored how satellite-enabled Earth Observation (EO) can unlock socio-economic value and drive climate resilience in the UK.
The Pearl’s Director, Professor Rosalind Cornforth, moderated a lively panel with industry and policy leaders showcasing how data-driven, climate intelligence can transform adaptation planning across UK sectors.
Looking into the new year
The launch of The Pearl marks the start of a new chapter in our collective journey towards climate-resilient futures. We will continue to work with partners across the world to turn evidence into action, strengthen local decision-making and support adaptation planning and implementation where climate risks are greatest.
Follow our progress, explore opportunities to collaborate, join us as an associate and help us grow this global interdisciplinary community of practice connecting people, place and science for resilient livelihoods.
Web: pearl.reading.ac.uk
LinkedIn: @ThePearl_UoR
YouTube: The Pearl
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