Abstract
This research will address this apparent gap by examining social adaptability and vulnerability in West Timor. With over 70% of its population involved in small-scale agriculture, past and present conditions of drought and climate variability are already affecting the ability of the region’s many subsistence agriculturalists to sustain production and livelihoods. In light of the ongoing macroeconomic and socio-political decisions that shape the lives of people throughout the region, environmental changes will continue to reinforce chronic problems of food insecurity, water shortage, poverty and the sustainability of local livelihoods. An integrative vulnerability framework will be employed in this study to identify and explain the multiple underlying political, socioeconomic and environmental forces that influence the ways in which people are exposed and sensitive to climate, and their capacities to adapt to changing conditions. By relying on participatory, ‘bottom-up’ methods, factors contributing to vulnerability are not assumed a priori, but will be identified on the basis of people’s experiences, allowing for differentiated vulnerabilities within the community.
This research will contribute to the understanding and conceptualization of social vulnerability in the climate change literature. Also, it will contribute to practical efforts at enhancing adaptive capacity in the face of changing climate and other conditions, both in the study area and elsewhere.

Bio
Paulus Liu is a PhD Student in the Environment and Resource Management program. His research interests include poverty reduction, governance and community livelihood adaptation. In his PhD research, he will examine social adaptability and vulnerability in West Timor, looking at configuration forces that shape the people of West Timor to adapt and cope with climate variability and social changes.