Logo for Duke Program on Climate-Related Migration

Duke University’s Program on Climate-Related Migration (PCRM), serves as a cross-disciplinary platform that brings together researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to look more deeply into the interconnected nature of climate change and global migration. With ongoing research projects around the world, the team strives to include findings from both the social  and natural sciences. 

Duke University’s Program on Climate-Related Migration (PCRM) serves as a cross-disciplinary platform that brings together researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to look more deeply into the interconnected nature of climate change and global migration. With ongoing research projects around the world, the team strives to include findings from both the social  and natural sciences. 

Logo for Program on Climate-Related Migration

Explore our Program

Join Duke University for the 2023 Conference on Climate Change & Migration in Washington, DC on April 21

Transdisciplinary research to advance knowledge, policy solutions, and public understanding of the intersection between climate change, adaptation, and human mobility. 

Transdisciplinary, multi-method research exploring the intersection of climate change and human mobility.

Translation of research findings to inform policy solutions on climate adaptation and migration.

Fact-based outreach to engage broad audiences and new actors in discussions on climate-related migration.

PCRM Diagram Basic
PCRM Diagram Detailed

Program Directors

Duke University’s Program on Climate-Related Migration is co-directed by two researchers at the Sanford School of Public Policy – Sarah Bermeo and Kerilyn Schewel.

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Sarah Bermeo, PhD

Associate Professor of Public Policy

 

PCRM Co-Director

Kerilyn Schewel

Kerilyn Schewel, PhD

Lecturing Fellow

 

PCRM Co-Director

Rigorous Research

Our program’s work is centered around conducting rigorous research that looks at both local and global migratory trends arising from climate change. The following list provides selected ongoing and past research projects.

Climate Game Changers & Migration Models

Working through USAID’s Research Technical Assistance Center (RTAC), the PCRM team is leading a review of current literature on the following areas:

  • Identifying  potential climate “game changers” that could radically impact development and assessing potential solutions.
  • Evaluating the strengths, limitations and real-world application of climate-related migration forecasting models.

Read the team’s final report on climate “Game Changers” and policy solutions for adaptation.

Read the team’s final report on climate migration models.

Migration and Development in Ethiopia

Ethiopia is highly vulnerable to climate change, and climate-related migration and immobility will become important issues in the coming decades. Rural-urban and international migration is on the rise in Ethiopia, but research suggests the most important drivers are not climate-related. This article analyzes the developmental drivers of migration in Ethiopia, including rising levels of education, infrastructure, economic diversification, and urbanization.

Read the full research paper here.

Student Research

The Duke Program on Climate-Related Migration (PCRM) provides funding for full-time undergraduate and graduate students at Duke for research topics related to climate change and migration, to attend relevant conferences, or to organize public engagement activities. 

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Public Engagement

Duke University researchers work with practitioners and experts from around the world to influence ongoing debates and inform the questions researchers are asking about climate-related migration.

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Read about the launch of Duke University’s Program on Climate-Related Migration (PCRM) and an exciting, inter-disciplinary discussion between four Duke researchers on the  challenges climate change poses to the world’s most vulnerable populations.

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In Interview with United States Institute for Peace, Sarah Bermeo discusses how looming climate challenges are exacerbating the region’s struggles with poverty and insecurity, leaving many with no choice but to migrate.

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Experts from around the world joined PCRM co-directors for the Rural Development & Capability to Stay Summer Workshop funded by the Social Science Research Council (SSRC).

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In an article with Brookings, PCRM co-director, Sarah Bermeo, shared her thoughts on the nexus between climate migration and climate finance and lessons from the region can inform broader debates and policy responses.

Policy Impact

Our team is committed to translating cutting-edge research to findings that can be applied to pressing policy challenges. See some of our past policy briefs highlighted here.

Honduran Migration & Climate Change
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Climate Migration in Guatemala
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Climate Migration Game Changers
This brief provides findings and actions that could potentially advance the efficiency and effectiveness of the development response to impacts of climate change
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Climate Migration Models
This brief shares findings from a review of 20 forecasting models relevant to USAID’s strategic interests to better understand the strengths and weaknesses of different modeling approaches
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Honduran Migration & Climate Change
A report on the root causes of migration from Honduras and the interconnected role of climate change and violence
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Climate Migration and Poverty in Guatemala
A report examining key drivers of migration from Guatemala to the United States
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Funding Acknowledgement

The Duke Program on Climate-Related Migration is supported through the generosity of Duke University’s Office of the Provost and Office for Global Affairs.

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