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Pathways of Development and Climate with John Thompson

John Thompson, a leading researcher in development studies and sustainability, joins host Arjuna Srinidhi to unpack the idea of “Pathways Approaches” and what it means for building climate resilience in complex systems.

Mar 12, 2026

In this episode of The WELL Labs Show, John Thompson, a leading researcher in development studies and sustainability, joins host Arjuna Srinidhi to unpack the idea of “Pathways Approaches” and what it means for building climate resilience in complex systems.

The conversation explores how dominant development pathways in agriculture, water systems, or food systems often become locked in through policy, markets, and institutional incentives. John explains how the Pathways Approach helps researchers and decision-makers move beyond these lock-ins by opening up multiple possible futures and examining who benefits, who loses, and what trade-offs different choices create.

Drawing on examples from food systems in Africa and ongoing work under CLARITY, John discusses how diversification, experimentation, and stakeholder dialogue can help societies navigate uncertainty. The discussion also explores the idea of Transformation Labs, where researchers, communities, and policymakers co-design research, co-produce knowledge, and jointly explore pathways toward more equitable and climate-resilient futures.

 

John also reflects on how researchers can make decision-making processes more transparent and accountable — not by prescribing solutions, but by helping societies understand the consequences of different development choices.

Arjuna Srinidhi is Head – Senior Scientist at the Rural Futures programme at WELL Labs and works on climate resilience, livelihoods, and participatory research approaches across rural landscapes.

John Thompson has worked on power, policy and sustainability issues in food and agriculture, water resource management and rural development for nearly 25 years across developing and industrialised countries. He is a Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Development Studies (IDS), University of Sussex, and Joint Co-ordinator of the Future Agricultures Consortium. Previously, he served as Director of the Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Livelihoods Programme at IIED and Director of Research and Development at Just Food in New York.

CLimate Adaptation and Resilience In Tropical drYlands (CLARITY) addresses the critical need to identify equitable, sustainable and climate-resilient development pathways in tropical drylands. This Global South-led project will result in the creation of long-term assets (data and tools) and capacities to achieve transformational change.

Resources:

  1. CLARE Programme: Website
  2. CLARITY: CLimate Adaptation and Resilience In Tropical drYlands
  3. WELL Labs: Futures Research programme
  4. John Thompson: IDS Website, Google Scholar, LinkedIn
  5. Arjuna Srinidhi: WELL Labs Website, LinkedIn

The WELL Labs Show features rich conversations on water, environment, land and livelihoods, from the people and partners of WELL Labs. Hosted by Pavan Srinath, each episode explores complex environmental and social issues and helps you understand systems and dynamics better.

Subscribe to The WELL Labs show on the WELL Labs YouTube channel. 

Recording by Nabina Chakraborty and Vraj Acharya

Video editing by Ranjith Kumar S

Graphics and artwork by Kanishka Goyal and Aparna Nambiar

Podcast production and management by Nabina Chakraborty and Pavan Srinath

 

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