ECRG's Rubi Briones Upcoming Thesis Defence

ECRG is pleased to announce that Rubi Briones Venegas will be defending their thesis/dissertation as a candidate for the degree of Master of Arts in International Studies.

See below the details to attend the defence and support Rubi!

Thesis entitled: VULNERABILITY AND ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE AMONG INDIGENOUS MAYA SMALL-SCALE FARMERS IN THE DRY CORRIDOR OF GUATEMALA

Abstract: The impacts of climate change are felt acutely by small-scale farmers globally, with significant consequences for lives and livelihoods. I worked with Indigenous small-scale farmers in Xesiguán village, in the Rabinal municipality, in Baja Verapaz, which is located in the dry corridor of Guatemala, to better understand how people are experiencing and responding to climate change impacts. An analysis of data collected from May to July 2025 through semi-structured interviews with 27 community members, along with participatory mapping, participant observation, and analysis of secondary sources (i.e., climate data) reveals that current changing environmental conditions such as increasing temperatures and changes in rainfall patterns are affecting animal and human health, as well as the local economy and farming practices. Small-scale farmers are working to adapt to these new conditions through income diversification, implementing strategies for water management, and the use of farming strategies such as the development and use of mountain microorganisms (MM), use of biochar and Lombricompost. This research is significant because it was carried out through a bottom-up approach to climate change vulnerability research, which places people at the forefront of the analysis. The findings are intended to help elevate the needs and concerns of local people in climate change adaptation decision-making processes.

Defence Committee: 

Chair: Dr. Thomas Tannert, University of Northern British Columbia  

Supervisor: Dr. Tristan Pearce, University of Northern British Columbia  

Committee Member: Dr. Catherine Nolin, University of Northern British Columbia

Committee Member: Dr. James Ford,  University of Leeds

External Examiner: Dr. Graham McDowell, Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative

The details of the defence and attendance information is included below: 

Date: Tuesday, March 24, 2026

Time: 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM (PT)

Defence mode: Hybrid

In-Person Attendance: Senate Chambers, UNBC Prince George Campus 

Virtual Attendance: via Microsoft Teams

Microsoft Teams meeting 

Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/22930476337793?p=9tKtJbEj0qJ5ZRfBS3

Meeting ID: 229 304 763 377 93 

Passcode: hM6n3mg7 

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To ensure the defence proceeds with no interruptions, please mute your audio and video on entry and do not inadvertently share your screen. The meeting will be locked to entry 5 minutes after it begins: please ensure you are on time.