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Research for Climate Adaptation and Resilience with Bruce Currie-Alder

Bruce Currie-Alder from IDRC Canada unpacks the vision behind the CLARE programme – a global initiative supporting action-oriented climate adaptation research across Africa and Asia.

Feb 26, 2026

In this episode, Bruce Currie-Alder from the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Canada, joins host Veena Srinivasan to unpack the vision behind the CLARE (Climate Adaptation and Resilience) programme – a global initiative supporting action-oriented climate adaptation research across Africa and Asia.

As climate change unfolds in real time, Bruce argues that research can no longer operate at a distance from action. Instead, it must be embedded within development processes, communities, and institutions – shaping decisions from the next climate shock to the next two decades.

The conversation explores why adaptation is no longer a future problem, the tension between short project timelines and long-term transformation, what “development under a changing climate” really means, gender equity and social inclusion in climate research, and the need to build the next generation of climate problem-solvers.

 

Bruce reflects on what success would look like 20 years from now — not only in terms of project outcomes, but in the people and partnerships that continue solving problems long after the programme ends.

CLARE (Climate Adaptation and Resilience) is a global research programme funded by Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). It supports transdisciplinary, action-oriented research to strengthen climate resilience across Africa and Asia.

Resources:

  1. CLARE Programme: Website
  2. WELL Labs: Futures Research programme
  3. Bruce Currie Alder: IDRC website, LinkedIn
  4. Raichur 2047: Imagining Flourishing Futures

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 Ritik Pathak  

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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