Research

Max is  part of a research team that looks at forecasts at different timescales streamlined with the metrics of early warnings and early action. Their research primarily focuses on studying climate and extreme weather and how people act on forecasts and early warnings. Notably, recent research tested localised weather information co-produced with fishers and forecasters on the southwest Indian coast of the storm-prone Arabian Sea.

A recent UKRI-GCRF grant and its Sussex Sustainability follow up with the radar centre of Cochin University of Science and Technology, India Meteorological Department (IMD) and Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS)  have generated a set of influential publications: Fishers’ engagement with forecasts;  (Weather, Climate and Society) Eastern Arabian Sea turns stormy(Nature Scientific Reports), and Validation of localised coastal wind forecasts (accepted in Weather). 

Max's doctoral research focused on Climate, Environmental Hazards and Migration in Bangladesh.  It probed how changing enviornment and hazard patterns influence migration decisions of villagers in Bangladesh.  Set in the semi-arid, coastal and delta contexts, it tested to what extent climatic stresses and shocks and risk perceptions influence migration decisions. The study on Climate change and displacement was commissioned by the Goverment of Bangladesh and my work involved leading data analysis and publications. The research in collaboration with Dhaka University contributed to a national strategy and action plan on climate-related displacement. It facilitatages migration across different spans of time and space as an adaptation strategy. Supervisors: Prof Richard Black and Prof Dominic Kniveton.

in short, Max's research interests include extreme weather, forecasts, climate change adaptation, risk communication, knowledge design and risk communication. Most of my research is marked by its deep interdisciplinarity.