Dr James Porter
Senior Lecturer in Environment, Science and Policy
Research interests
- Environment
- Policy
Contact details
Biography
Dr James Porter is a Senior Lecturer in Environment, Science and Policy, who is interested in local climate change action, planning, and decision-making, across the science-policy interface from flood risk to extreme heat management.
James completed his BA, MRes, and PhD at King's. His PhD research focused on how flood risk science and policy are co-produced wherein one shapes the other through the management of flood risk (and therein why we continue to build properties in risky places).
His current research explores what climate adaptation progress means, the challenges with measuring progress, and the material effects of progress, through the experiences of local authorities in the UK.
Research
- Climate change adaptation science and decision-making
- Flood risk management and policy
- Extreme heat policy and action
- Experts, judgement and decision-support tools
James's current research projects include:
- Mapping local authorities’ progress in formulating and implementing local climate adaptation actions with Professor David Demeritt and colleagues.
- Examining how and why flood risk is governed differently between UK nations with Dr. Francesca Vantaggiato (Dept. of Political Economy).
- Exploring new innovations in co-producing local climate action with coastal communities on legacy waste with Dr. Andrew Russell (Queen Mary’s) and colleagues.
- Identifying what is best practice for deliberative engagement on climate change for the Welsh Government with Dr. Kirstie Hewlett (Policy Institute).
On completion of his PhD, James worked on different projects related to climate adaptation including the ‘Informing Climate Adaptation Decisions’ (ERC funded), which explored the production and use of climate information, and ‘TWENTY65’ (EPSRC funded) which focused on the barriers to innovation in the water industry.
Teaching
James is the Director of the MSc Climate Change: Science and Policy degree programme.
He contributes to both the undergraduate and postgraduate modules on climate knowledge, risk management and research skills.
Undergraduate
- 5SSG2061 Geographical research skills
- 6SSG3073 Critical geographies of climate change
Postgraduate
- 7SSGN227 Researching climate change: Key methods
- 7SSGN165 Environmental Science and Policymaking
PhD supervision
James welcomes inquiries from prospective PhD students interested in the topics above. He is also keen to supervise projects related to:
- Co-production of climate adaptation science, policy, and action (e.g. flood risk, heatwaves).
- Defining and measuring climate adaptation progress/success across different geographical scales (e.g. national and local).
Further details
Research
Risk, Hazard & Society research group
Advancing understanding of risk and perception, as well as communication and regulation in a range of environmental, social and country contexts.
King's Water Centre
Researching water, environment and development. Our centre spans the humanities, social, and physical sciences to explore the challenges of water governance from global to local scales.
King's Climate Research Hub
Studying climate change through the relationship between science, policy and culture, particularly in the developing world.
Climate & sustainability researchers at King’s
King's researchers working across climate and sustainability
News
WORLD: we got this podcast returns and takes on our inaction over climate change
King's academics discuss why we aren't doing more to tackle climate change and what action we can take as individuals and as society to help address the issue.
'Invisible' heatwaves pose a much greater risk than most Britons recognise, new research finds
Despite the increased frequency and severity of heatwaves in the UK our response is inadequate, in part due to the risk being invisible.
Geography graduate Naimah Quamie awarded 4th place in RACE dissertation competition
Kings Geography BA graduate, Naimah Quamie, wins joint fourth place in dissertation competition.
New podcast on science, policy and culture in climate change
King’s Climate has launched a new podcast, taking a deeper look at science, policy and culture in climate change.
Features
Is the UK prepared for a future of extreme heat?
In light of the scorching heatwaves across Europe, USA and Asia, Dr James Porter comments on the UK’s preparedness to deal with a future of extreme heat.
The challenges of adaptation, loss & damage that must be addressed at COP26 and beyond
Rachel Harrington-Abrams and Dr James Porter set out the challenges of adaptation, loss and damage and what can be done to address them at COP26 and beyond.
Research
Risk, Hazard & Society research group
Advancing understanding of risk and perception, as well as communication and regulation in a range of environmental, social and country contexts.
King's Water Centre
Researching water, environment and development. Our centre spans the humanities, social, and physical sciences to explore the challenges of water governance from global to local scales.
King's Climate Research Hub
Studying climate change through the relationship between science, policy and culture, particularly in the developing world.
Climate & sustainability researchers at King’s
King's researchers working across climate and sustainability
News
WORLD: we got this podcast returns and takes on our inaction over climate change
King's academics discuss why we aren't doing more to tackle climate change and what action we can take as individuals and as society to help address the issue.
'Invisible' heatwaves pose a much greater risk than most Britons recognise, new research finds
Despite the increased frequency and severity of heatwaves in the UK our response is inadequate, in part due to the risk being invisible.
Geography graduate Naimah Quamie awarded 4th place in RACE dissertation competition
Kings Geography BA graduate, Naimah Quamie, wins joint fourth place in dissertation competition.
New podcast on science, policy and culture in climate change
King’s Climate has launched a new podcast, taking a deeper look at science, policy and culture in climate change.
Features
Is the UK prepared for a future of extreme heat?
In light of the scorching heatwaves across Europe, USA and Asia, Dr James Porter comments on the UK’s preparedness to deal with a future of extreme heat.
The challenges of adaptation, loss & damage that must be addressed at COP26 and beyond
Rachel Harrington-Abrams and Dr James Porter set out the challenges of adaptation, loss and damage and what can be done to address them at COP26 and beyond.