Portia Adade Williams

Consultant, Climate Change and Evidence Research

With over ten years of research experience, Portia has led and coordinated high-impact projects in climate variability, adaptation, and policy analysis, contributing to significant publications and advancing knowledge in these areas. Her work includes facilitating stakeholder engagements, collaborating with international researchers and policymakers including providing technical advise to the African Group of Negotiators on the Global Goal on Adaptation. She led an award-winning study on adaptation options for Africa.

Portia is a climate adaptation expert with a PhD in Environmental and Geographical Science from the University of Cape Town (UCT), South Africa. Portia was a Contributing Author on the 6th Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) - Working Group 2. She was also a Contributing Author on the 2022-2032 African Union’s Climate Change and Resilient Development Strategy and Action Plans. Portia has broad interest in climate and development, policy and livelihood analysis and rural development. Her background and multidisciplinary experience in climate adaptation facilitates her capacity to work, engage with and communicate with various individuals and disciplines.

She has also participated in the two-year University of Maryland’s (USA) National Socio-Environmental Synthesis Center (SESYNC) Graduate Pursuit Project, conducting interdisciplinary research and synthesis on social responses to environmental shocks. Her competencies include research management, synthesis research, scientific writing, and effective communication. She is dedicated, versatile, and an excellent team player as well as lead who is skilled at forming effective working relationships across diverse intellectual and cultural backgrounds.