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Overview

The information below describes an NSF-funded project for planning the formation of a potential new center. Planning activities include: industry engagement, workshop planning and execution; identification of research areas of strong industrial interest/need; realization of industrial support commitments; future preparation of a proposal to NSF seeking funding for a Phase I center.

We foresee a future in which the insurance industry, driven by cutting-edge research and cross-sector collaboration, becomes a cornerstone in building a resilient society. We anticipate forward-thinking insurance practices that not only provide financial protection in times of crisis, but also incentivize societal risk reduction, safeguard vulnerable communities, and catalyze the development of solutions by other sectors with complementary capabilities.

To realize this vision, Duke University and the University of Georgia are planning an Industry-University Collaborative Research Center (IUCRC) called the Center for Innovation in Risk-analysis for Climate Adaptation and Decision-making (CIRCAD). CIRCAD will be an interdisciplinary, high-impact research initiative that integrates natural science and engineering, data science and modeling, risk assessment and decision theory, and economic and policy analysis to develop and promote innovative and actionable strategies, products, and practices that meet the shared needs of the insurance industry in addressing climate risk.

Specifically, CIRCAD will pursue the following four overarching goals:

  1. Design, evaluate, and support pilot testing of novel climate-responsive insurance solutions and risk mitigation strategies.
  2. Develop methods and models for quantifying climate resilience at a systems scale, with a focus on the value of nature-based solutions.
  3. Apply decision theory to the compilation, evaluation, and use of climate data and models to reduce uncertainty in risk management and investment decisions.
  4. Convene and facilitate gatherings of key industry, government, and community stakeholders to align financial incentives and build resilience.

While pursuing these goals, we will recruit, mentor, and develop a highly trained, climate-ready workforce.

Universities

  • Duke University
  • University of Georgia
View Website

Personnel

Mark Borsuk
Center Director
+1 603 667 7454
mark.borsuk@duke.edu

Mark Ragin
Site Director
+1 516 933 1061
mragin@uga.edu

Awards

Member Organizations

IUCRC affiliated member organizations are displayed as submitted by the Center. Non-federal organizations are not selected, approved, or otherwise endorsed by the National Science Foundation.
The opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the Center author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. National Science Foundation.