1. The Bergrivier Climate Knowledge Network Kirsty Nortje African Climate and Development Initiative, University of Cape Town. WRC Dialogue 13 November 2015 “ The ACDI is a university-wide initiative at the University of Cape Town that supports collaborative research and training in climate change and development”

2. The “Project” Practical objectives  Build a inter/transdisciplinary (ID/TD) knowledge network  Bring diverse “academics” and “practitioners” together to help advance understanding of climate & development issues in Bergrivier municipal area  Develop projects that enhance appropriate climate change responses and resilience in the Bergrivier municipal area

3. The Project “Academic” objectives – Enhance interdisciplinary collaboration across UCT – Explore the advantages, disadvantages of an interdisciplinary approach to CC – Support UCT “research-into-practice” agenda – Develop interesting, problem-oriented research projects – Cutting-edge publications

4. The Project Group Holle – Renewable Energy, UCT Jen – Cape Nature Lesley – Anthropology, UCT Timm – Ecologist, UCT Sherwin – Engineer, PPC Ralph – Business Sustainability, UCT GSB Penny – Climate CC Support Programme, WCG Tracey – Strategic Manager, BR Municipality Tania – Planner, UCT Julien – Farmer, Hopetown Jan – Environmental Lawyer, UCT Hilary – Community Worker, Autrora Hedley – Literary Scholar, UCT

5. Learning Journeys Who, What, How? Walking in Each Others Shoes

6. ClimateDevelopment 6 “Is climate change really a priority here? It’s like putting a plaster on someone who needs a wheelchair!” “What good is the wheelchair if the wheel will come off – that’s what climate change might do!” Local / PracticeGlobal / Theory “This theory is all well and good, but what are the impacts for people on the ground?” “What about this work can we publish, and where?”

7. Outcomes An ID/TD Collective- a knowledge and personal network Evidence and learning about ID/TD MSc & PhD Projects in an ID/TD holding space – A study of an integrated management initiative to improve the Berg River, Western Cape, South Africa – Using complex system thinking for managing natural resources in the Groot Winterhoek Strategic Water Source Area in South Africa – The application of the Nexus framework in the Bergrivier Municipality: a potential tool for the enabling coordination at the local municipal scale – Mapping the governance landscape related to ecosystem-based adaptation in the Bergrivier Municipality.

8. Outcomes An ID/TD Collective- A knowledge and personal network Evidence and learning about ID/TD MSc & PhD Projects in an ID/TD holding space Funded research projects – Climate change risk assessment & adaptation strategy – FEWBL Nexus at catchment scale – Complementary Currency to foster local resilience and wellbeing

9. Emerging Lessons Trans-disciplinary processes are likely to benefit from: – A clear convening “problem” – Careful facilitation – Surfacing and making creative use of thematic / epistemological tensions – Investment in supporting the process

10. Challenges Uncomfortable space Difference between inter/transdisciplinarity and collaboration Prioritisation Practicalities Funding

11. Thank you!