Adaptation Academy Alumni Feature: An Employer’s Perspective from Paul Watkiss & Our Alumna Adriana Quevedo

In this small blog series, we want to give room to some of GCAP's Adaptation Academy graduates, to highlight their professional development in the field of climate change adaptation. We will share stories of professional growth, lasting networks and cooperation that inspires. If you are interested in taking part in GCAP's next Academy, read on and get in touch.

This time, we spoke to Paul Watkiss, director of Paul Watkiss Associates, an independent research consultancy specializing in climate change and adaptation policy advice. In the past, Paul has sent his employees to the Adaptation Academy. He shared with us some insights into the benefits he has seen in his employees and why he thinks the Academy is a great investment in staff training.

GCAP: Paul, why did you sent your employees to the Adaptation Academy?

Paul: The GCAP academy provides the ideal mix of theory and practice for staff development and training in adaptation. I sent many of my new employees on it and would highly recommend it.

GCAP: What are the benefits that you have observed in sending your employees to the Academy?

Paul: The GCAP academy is quite simply the best development training course in adaptation around. My employees came back full of knowledge, ideas and enthusiasm.

GCAP: Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Paul.

One of Paul's former employees, Adriana Quevedo, our 2017 Academy alumna and now Senior Research Officer at the Overseas Development Institute, sums up her experience of the training:

"The GCAP academy was an excellent experience. The academy helped structure and enrich my understanding of the complexities of climate adaptation. The friendly environment, excellent trainers, and diverse group of students led to extremely interesting and interactive sessions. Thank you again to the GCAP team!"

Want to get in touch with Adriana? 

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Linkedin:  linkedin.com/in/adrianaquevedo

About the Adaptation Academy

An integral part of GCAP's mission to enhance climate change adaptation is the development of skills and expertise in adaptation professionals at various career stages. Between 2012 and 2017, GCAP welcomed participants to its Adaptation Academy in Oxford. The two-week Academy brought climate change professionals with various backgrounds and different organisational affiliations together, who engaged in an intense training that increased their capacity and leadership to navigate and advance in the climate adaptation field by providing practical skills for implementing innovative adaptation solutions. GCAP has since adapted its Academy design to bring intensive short courses to practitioners abroad. The next course will be delivered in collaboration with Tandem Research in August 2019 in Goa. Join us for the Monsoon Academy on Planning for Climate Resilience in Urban Areas. Get more info here.