9.9. Singh

Keynote Presentations from the 5th ALTER-Net Summer School, Peyresq 5 - 14 September 2010

Speaker: Simron Jit Singh

Simron.Singh -at- uni-klu.ac.at

Institute for Social Ecology, IFF - Faculty of Interdisciplinary Studies, Klagenfurt University, Schottenfeldgasse 29, A-1070 Vienna, Austria
http://www.uni-klu.ac.at/socec/

Title of the talk: A scientist´s dilemma after the tsunami - Challenges for sustainability science

Abstract

The presentation reports on ongoing efforts whereby scientific support is generated for the planning and implementation of development options for the indigenous population of the Nicobar archipelago in the aftermath of the 2004 tsunami. The Asian tsunami has clearly revealed the vulnerability of coastal communities with respect to dealing with ecological hazards. An area that was highly affected by the tsunami was the Nicobar Islands, an archipelago belonging to India located in the Bay of Bengal. Consequently, a third of the indigenous population was wiped out and those that survived were rendered homeless and without an economy to support them. Based on years of research and engagement with these islands, the aperitif talk will revolve around the dilemma of a scientist's engagement with relief work, the tension between scientific objectivity and ethical concerns towards the research subjects, and of the role of science under situations of distress.

Recommended background literature on this presentation:

• Singh SJ (2009) Complex disasters: the Nicobar Islands in the grip of humanitarian aid. Geographische Rundschau - International Edition 5(3)48-56. Geographische Rundschau
• Stone R (2006) After the tsunami: A scientist´s dilemma. Science 313:32-35, doi:10.1126/science.313.5783.32