The Role of Social Science in Climate Risk Management.

Weather and climate data are becoming evermore abundant and accessible, and yet this information remains an untapped resource for many in the agricultural sector.  Improving the usability of climate information for agricultural production is the primary objective of the USDA-NIFA funded Useful to Usable (U2U) project, and one that requires a diversity of expertise. U2U social scientists are critical to project success as they provide the direct connection to our stakeholders and ensure the usability of our findings. The U2U social science team employs a variety of methods including surveys, interviews, and focus groups to integrate stakeholder interests, needs, and concerns into all aspects of U2U research and product development. This presentation will review the purpose and objectives of the U2U project, and describe the role of social science in improving the usability of climate information.