Welcome to the Human Ecology Lab
The Human Ecology Laboratory groups together students and researchers to explore the relationships between people and the environment through time. In particular, the lab focuses on understanding Social Vulnerability related to Climate Change.
Cultivating Relationships
- Building horizontal relationships with communities
- Emphasizing collaboration across departments and institutions
Combining Perspectives
- Identifying community-relevant research questions
- Recovering past knowledge
Expanding Understanding
- Decolonizing historical accounts
- Answering questions about the past
- Informing solutions to climate-related issues in the present
We respectfully acknowledge that UCSD occupies the territory of Kumeyaay/Kumiai Nation on which our work occurs and to whom we owe honor and gratitude. Our research and work acknowledges the Borikua / Boriken / CanJibaro / Taino and their island territory.
Humans of the Lab
Meet Hector M. Rivera-Claudio
Where are we now?
Climate Art by Simona Clausnitzer
92 years ago, my grandma was tossed out of a second-story window to escape San Felipe Segundo, the worst recorded hurricane to hit Puerto Rico until María hit decades later. Communities were torn apart as the only two documented Category 5 hurricanes ripped across the Island, one almost a century ago and the other 3 years ago. My family, like countless others, lost everything in that 1928 storm and emigrated to the mainland.
These pieces are in remembrance of those lived experiences.