University of Richmond Professor Receives Fellowship with UN to Research Intersection of Climate Change and Violent Conflict

UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND — Sandra Joireman, Weinstein Chair of International Studies and professor of political science at the University of Richmond, has been selected as a research fellow for the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

Joireman, who specializes in property rights and post-conflict migration, is part of an international team that will investigate how communities are impacted by the intersection of climate change and violent conflict. In collaboration with CARE International UK and the Consultative Group for International Agriculture Research, she will recommend responses to support community resilience and long-term food security.

“Working with the FAO gives me a fantastic opportunity to apply my technical expertise on property rights and post-conflict settings to international policy responses to climate change,” Joireman said. “Many of the places in the world impacted most by climate change also have violent conflict and investigating how communities can best respond to these linked threats is exciting.” 

Joireman, who is on sabbatical this academic year, says her work will also apply to her teaching when she returns to the classroom.  

“UR students want to apply their classroom learning to pressing world problems,” Joireman said. “This fellowship will broaden my own understanding of how UN agencies work on international issues, and I will be able to bring that perspective my classes.”            

Joireman’s fellowship appointment begins this month and will run through June 2022. She has previously worked on projects with the United States Agency for International Development and the World Bank.

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