The needs of modern society are complex, and the demands and required knowledge bases within organizations evolve rapidly. Guided by its four aspirations (Hemispheric; Excellent; Relevant; and Exemplary), UM is evolving to meet these interconnected needs – via engaging research, education, and service. The concept of an “Academy” is being developed at UM, to provide a new flexible, interdisciplinary organizational structure that complements and supports UM’s existing strengths. This structure is expected to advance UM as a hub for interdisciplinary research, education, and community engagement.
The natural and built environment, humans and society, and the economy, continuously face evolving threats. We live in a region where the impacts from threats such as climate change are especially acute. Our local governments have collaboratively designed a Resilient 305 strategy to tackle these emerging challenges. Via establishing and coordinating partnerships with stakeholders across South Florida and beyond, UM can serve as a “living lab” that builds capacity and capitalizes on our collective enthusiasm and intellectual power to address these local and global challenges to build a more resilient environment, society, and economy. To accomplish this, UM is building the “Climate Resilience Academy.”
The Climate Resilience Academy is intended to be a functional unit that supports the UM Schools and Colleges in interdisciplinary, problem-driven research and education to train the next generation and deliver solutions to climate change impacts and other environmental stressors, in partnership with industry, government, universities, and other stakeholders.
The Academy is led by a full-time Founding Executive Director, who builds the overall vision, operation, and mandate of the Academy. The Executive Director will set the strategy, and identify and prioritize core problems in which UM is uniquely positioned to contribute solutions. The Academy will comprise the following three intersecting thematic platforms, leveraging expertise across UM to address a variety of problems:
- Infrastructure and Environment. Examples of topics include storm surge protection; adaptation to sea-level rise; saltwater infiltration; smart city services and infrastructure; vulnerability and risk assessment; protection of natural resources (Everglades, reefs, sea grasses, aquifer); atmospheric and maritime projections, considerations, and protections; transportation; green, blue, and grey infrastructures; building designs and codification; urban design and codification.
- Human and Societal Health. Examples of topics include individual and societal well-being in a changing climate and stressed environment; gentrification and access to affordable housing; climate driven migration; climate impacts awareness; access to education; impacts of climate change and environmental stressors on public health, infectious diseases, pandemics, healthcare access and quality, substances and sexual abuse, and social and racial equity.
- Economic Development. Examples of topics include vulnerability and risk; assessments; property law; insurance and mortgages; real estate development; the economic impacts of climate change; infrastructure adaptation; and taxation and adaptation actions.
