1
Vulnerability Science Planning Workshop hosted
by The National Academies USA Washington D.C.,
15-16 January 2003
2

• Workshop Background
• Vulnerability research typically place-based
  focused on either environmental or social
  aspects.
• Need to build GECAFS research on a unified
  approach which
• brings together concepts of existing
  socioeconomic and biophysical vulnerability of
  food systems to current environmental and
  socioeconomic threats
• (ii) modifies the integrated approach to underpin
  research related to GEC

3

• Workshop Objectives
• Clarify definitions and disciplinary viewpoints
  of vulnerability science relevant to food
  systems.
• Design a framework for synthesizing current
  natural and social science concepts of
  vulnerability as relating to GECAFS.

4

• Workshop Process
• Introduction to GECAFS.
• Series of short presentations on differing
  concepts of vulnerability.
• Initial thoughts on GECAFS vulnerability science.
• Overview of GECAFS Regional Research Projects
  key vulnerability issues.
• Working Groups framework for synthesising
  current concepts of vulnerability / adaptation /
  resilience.
• Framework for synthesizing current natural and
  social science concepts of vulnerability as
  relating to GECAFS.

5

• Workshop Objectives
• Clarify definitions and disciplinary viewpoints
  of vulnerability science relevant to food
  systems.
• Design a framework for synthesizing current
  natural and social science concepts of
  vulnerability as relating to GECAFS.