LUMS Cohort 5, Day 2: Expanding Horizons – Climate Justice, Nutrition, and Conflict in Research
Day two of the Research Methodology & Capacity Building Workshop of Humanities & Social Sciences Faculty – Cohort 5 continued to build on the momentum set on the first day. The participants, energized by the deep discussions and new learnings, eagerly engaged in sessions that challenged them to think critically about pressing issues in climate change, public health, and regional conflict. Today’s sessions explored both quantitative and qualitative research approaches, encouraging participants to connect theoretical insights with real-world challenges.
Session 1: Climate Change and Justice – Expanding Ethical Boundaries
Session Lead: Dr. Saba Pirzadeh
Readings:
- Libby Robin: Environmental Humanities and Climate Change: Understanding Humans Geologically and Other Life Forms Ethically
- Farhana Sultana: Critical Climate Justice
The first session of the day, led by Dr. Saba Pirzadeh, a scholar known for her interdisciplinary approach to environmental humanities, focused on the intersection of environmental change and ethics. The session pushed participants to explore the ethical dimensions of climate change, particularly how humans interact with the planet and other life forms. Dr. Pirzadeh also introduced critical climate justice, a framework that emphasizes equity and justice in addressing global environmental crises, encouraging participants to reflect on how these concepts apply in their own research.
Session 2: Addressing Childhood Undernutrition – A Quantitative Approach
Session Lead: Dr. Abid A. Burki
Reading: Abid A. Burki: Evidence-Based Interventions to Prevent Childhood Undernutrition in Pakistan’s Punjab
In the second session, Dr. Abid A. Burki, a renowned expert in health economics, led an in-depth exploration of quantitative evidence related to childhood undernutrition in Pakistan’s Punjab region. This session emphasized the importance of data-driven interventions in public health. Participants learned how to critically analyze quantitative data to assess the effectiveness of various health programs aimed at combating undernutrition. The session was particularly impactful for those looking to incorporate rigorous statistical evidence into their research.
Session 3: Conflict Regions – Navigating Life in Unstable Environments
Session Lead: Dr. Nida Kirmani
Reading: Nida Kirmani: Fear and the City: Negotiating Everyday Life as a Young Baloch Man in Karachi
The day concluded with a powerful session on conflict regions, led by Dr. Nida Kirmani, a respected sociologist whose work focuses on marginalized communities and urban violence. Through a discussion of her research on the experiences of young Baloch men in Karachi, Dr. Kirmani highlighted the everyday struggles of navigating life in a city marked by fear and conflict. This session encouraged participants to consider the human aspect of conflict and how qualitative research can uncover the lived realities of those in conflict zones.