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09/24/25: Critical hope: Centering emotions as a missing component of climate change resilience research
Please join us for a Great Lakes Seminar Series – subscribe!
Time: 11:00am – 12:00pm EDT
Location: NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory, Lake Superior Hall and Virtual
Presenter: Becky Williams, Assistant Professor, School of Interdisciplinary Studies, Grand Valley State University
Title: Critical hope: Centering emotions as a missing component of climate change resilience research
About the presentation: In the United States federal funding for climate action has been reduced and climate education and research is being restricted. Against this backdrop conducting research on climate and the environment has become an academic challenge. Until recently, I approached my work on climate change from the perspective of mitigation and adaptation. However, the gravity of the situation and sense of desperation from colleagues and students demanded a shift in focus. It became clear that we need to focus on making the “climate landing” as soft as possible for as many people as possible. In this presentation I will discuss the concept of Critical Hope as a key and missing piece in climate education and in climate resilience research focused on human communities. I will present an example of the integration of Critical Hope in the classroom where students build essential coping skills, process complex emotions, and engage in meaningful action. I will then briefly examine the concept of Critical Hope within the context of climate resilience frameworks.
About the speaker: Dr. Becky Williams is an Assistant Professor of Interdisciplinary Studies at Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Michigan. She teaches in the Environmental Studies; Global Studies; Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies; and Integrative Studies programs. Her most recent research focuses on “critical hope” as a key missing link in climate change resilience. In addition, she focuses on the impacts of climate change on rural and indigenous livelihoods in Central America, and how it impacts livelihood pathways. She also conducts research on gender and development projects (e.g., women’s empowerment initiatives, gender-based violence mitigation) through the lens of contemporary critical feminist critiques of development including intersectionality, masculinities, and decoloniality. Dr. Williams earned her PhD in Interdisciplinary Ecology, concentrating in Tropical Conservation and Development from the University of Florida and a graduate certificate in Gender and Development. She holds a MS in Instructional Systems Design from Florida State University and a BS in Music Education from Stetson University.
**Registration is not required**
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IMPORTANT VISITOR INFORMATION
As of July 2025 the GLERL facility can no longer accept visitors for the Great Lakes Seminar Series due to staffing shortages. Please attend virtually using the link above.
All seminar attendees are required to receive a visitor badge from the front desk at the NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory facility. Attendees need to present a valid U.S. photo ID or green card. If you are a Foreign National, we encourage you to attend virtually. For questions regarding building access, please email Margaret Throckmorton at [email protected]. Additional questions? Contact Margaret Throckmorton: [email protected]; visit ciglr.seas.umich.edu for more information.
