Prof. Ben Orlove is a professor at the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University, a member of the Columbia Climate School, and a Senior Research Scientist at the International Research Institute for Climate and Society. He is an anthropologist educated at Harvard University and the University of California, Berkeley. His field research has included work in the Peruvian Andes, the Italian Alps, the western United States, and Central and East Africa.

During his lecture, Prof. Orlove drew on many years of research on the impacts of climate change — from the experiences of mountain communities facing glacier retreat to the activities undertaken by international organisations. He paid particular attention to the tension between the creativity of local responses to climate change and the technocratic approaches that often dominate global institutional frameworks.

The lecture encouraged participants to reflect on contemporary challenges in climate adaptation, the importance of local knowledge, and the relationships among local, national, and international levels of climate governance.

The meeting also provided an opportunity to discuss possible directions for future academic and educational cooperation. The event was organised by Dr Marek Musioł, Deputy Director for International Cooperation at the Institute of International and Security Studies.