Lori Peek
University of Colorado, Boulder, Sociology, Faculty Member
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Logistic regression and spatial analytic techniques are used to model fetal distress risk as a function of maternal exposure to Hurricane Andrew. First, monthly time series compare the proportion of infants born distressed in hurricane... more
Logistic regression and spatial analytic techniques are used to model fetal distress risk as a function of maternal exposure to Hurricane Andrew. First, monthly time series compare the proportion of infants born distressed in hurricane affected and unaffected areas. Second, resident births are analyzed in Miami-Dade and Broward counties, before, during, and after Hurricane Andrew. Third, resident births are analyzed in all Florida locales with 100,000 or more persons, comparing exposed and unexposed gravid females. Fourth, resident births are analyzed along Hurricane Andrew's path from southern Florida to northeast Mississippi. Results show that fetal distress risk increases significantly with maternal exposure to Hurricane Andrew in second and third trimesters, adjusting for known risk factors. Distress risk also correlates with the destructive path of Hurricane Andrew, with higher incidences of fetal distress found in areas of highest exposure intensity. Hurricane exposed African-American mothers were more likely to birth distressed infants. The policy implications of in utero costs of natural disaster exposure are discussed.
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We investigate the relationship between exposure to Hurricanes Katrina and/or Rita and mental health resilience by vulnerability status, with particular focus on the mental health outcomes of single mothers versus the general public. We... more
We investigate the relationship between exposure to Hurricanes Katrina and/or Rita and mental health resilience by vulnerability status, with particular focus on the mental health outcomes of single mothers versus the general public. We advance a measurable notion of mental health resilience to disaster events. We also calculate the economic costs of poor mental health days added by natural disaster exposure. Negative binomial analyses show that hurricane exposure increases the expected count of poor mental health days for all persons by 18.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], 7.44–31.14%), and by 71.88% (95% CI, 39.48–211.82%) for single females with children. Monthly time-series show that single mothers have lower event resilience, experiencing higher added mental stress. Results also show that the count of poor mental health days is sensitive to hurricane intensity, increasing by a factor of 1.06 (95% CI, 1.02–1.10) for every billion (U.S.$) dollars of damage added for all exposed persons , and by a factor of 1.08 (95% CI, 1.03–1.14) for single mothers. We estimate that single mothers, as a group, suffered over $130 million in productivity loss from added postdisaster stress and disability. Results illustrate the measurability of mental health resilience as a two-dimensional concept of resistance capacity and recovery time. Overall, we show that natural disasters regressively tax disadvantaged population strata.
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The authors explored individual and family adjustment processes among parents (n = 30) and children (n = 55) who were displaced to Colorado after Hurricane Katrina. Drawing on in-depth interviews with 23 families, this article offers an... more
The authors explored individual and family adjustment processes among
parents (n = 30) and children (n = 55) who were displaced to Colorado
after Hurricane Katrina. Drawing on in-depth interviews with 23 families,
this article offers an inductive model of displaced family adjustment. Four stages of family adjustment are presented in the model: (a) family unity stage, (b) prioritizing safety stage (parents) and missing home stage (children),(c) confronting reality stage (parents) and feeling settled stage (children), and (d) reaching resolution. This research illustrates that parental and child adjustment trajectories are dynamic and may vary over time, thus underscoring the importance of considering the perspectives of both adults and children in research and disaster policy interventions.
parents (n = 30) and children (n = 55) who were displaced to Colorado
after Hurricane Katrina. Drawing on in-depth interviews with 23 families,
this article offers an inductive model of displaced family adjustment. Four stages of family adjustment are presented in the model: (a) family unity stage, (b) prioritizing safety stage (parents) and missing home stage (children),(c) confronting reality stage (parents) and feeling settled stage (children), and (d) reaching resolution. This research illustrates that parental and child adjustment trajectories are dynamic and may vary over time, thus underscoring the importance of considering the perspectives of both adults and children in research and disaster policy interventions.
Research Interests:
Research Interests: Psychology, Poverty, Natural Hazards, Social Exclusion, Health, and 14 morePublic Health, Social Class, Natural Disasters, Emergency Response, Atmospheric sciences, Building Construction, Inequality, United States, Natural disaster, Natural hazard, Socioeconomic Status, Policy Implementation, Social Equity, and Low Income
The Public Hazards Communication Annotated Bibliography contains over 300 annotated references to published documents that address the communication of hazards-related information to the public. Each reference is followed by a brief... more
The Public Hazards Communication Annotated Bibliography contains over 300 annotated references to published documents that address the communication of hazards-related information to the public. Each reference is followed by a brief summary describing the main findings from the report, article, chapter, or book. Documents that address disaster preparedness and response are included, with a focus on hazards warnings and disaster evacuations. Studies include reference to both natural and technological hazards. The citations and summaries in the Public Hazards Communication Annotated Bibliography are an essential starting point for understanding how hazards are communicated to and understood by the public. Aguirre, B. 1991. "Evacuation in Cancun During Hurricane Gilbert. " International Journal of
Youth Creating Disaster Recovery (YCDR) is a participatory action research project designed to learn about disaster recovery from the perspectives of youth. Moreover, YCDR focuses on the potential of youth to act as powerful catalysts for... more
Youth Creating Disaster Recovery (YCDR) is a participatory action research project designed to learn about disaster recovery from the perspectives of youth. Moreover, YCDR focuses on the potential of youth to act as powerful catalysts for change following disasters. Funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, the project has completed its first year of fieldwork in Joplin, Missouri and Slave Lake, Alberta. Both communities experienced recent exposure to catastrophic disasters. On May 16, 2011, one third of Slave Lake was destroyed by a wildfire. Less than a week later, on May 22, 2011, Joplin was devastated by a powerful EF-5 tornado. YCDR, a collaboration of Royal Roads and Colorado State Universities, uses participatory and creative research methodologies to elicit and explore the perspectives of disaster affected youth in the focal communities. The goal is to contribute to and refine existing socio-ecological theories of disaster recovery and generate...
The children of the Gulf Coast have been exposed to more disasters over the past decade than any other young people in the United States, including to six major hurricanes and the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. Exposure to multiple... more
The children of the Gulf Coast have been exposed to more disasters over the past decade than any other young people in the United States, including to six major hurricanes and the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. Exposure to multiple disasters and other chronic stressors, such as poverty, has led to an accumulation of mental and physical health issues and educational and social challenges. Still, although they are among the most affected by disasters, youth are often excluded from the decisions and actions that can influence their health and recovery. SHOREline is a youth-empowerment program implemented at five Gulf Coast high schools beginning in September 2013, designed to (1) illuminate the pathways between the stressors and health and social outcomes, and (2) develop scalable models that could address these issues. Centered upon project-based learning, the SHOREline chapters engage in projects and activities designed to encourage critical thinking, to foster skill development, to en...
Promoting resilience among children and youth who have been exposed to disaster has generally been regarded in one of two ways: (1) preventing psychopathology and other poor physical, cognitive, or academic outcomes associated with the... more
Promoting resilience among children and youth who have been exposed to disaster has generally been regarded in one of two ways: (1) preventing psychopathology and other poor physical, cognitive, or academic outcomes associated with the stressors of disasters, and (2) promoting adaptation strategies and enhanced self-efficacy. There is a growing appreciation among scholars and practitioners that children and youth are not simply victims or thoroughly dependent and vulnerable populations, but that they may be agents of their own and others’ recovery. This is particularly true for adolescents and those on the cusp of young adulthood. This presentation will review emerging trends in the scholarly literature and highlight several sentinel youth-run or youth-empowered projects that illustrate positive promotive and adaptation-focused strategies. In particular, the presentation will focus on the research among Gulf Coast youth exposed to Hurricane Katrina and the Deepwater Horizon oil spil...
Lori Peek's contribution to the roundtable brings in discussion of methodological approaches to short and longer-term disaster research studies in the social sciences. She has also recently co-authored a journal article on ethical... more
Lori Peek's contribution to the roundtable brings in discussion of methodological approaches to short and longer-term disaster research studies in the social sciences. She has also recently co-authored a journal article on ethical issues that may emerge in longer-term studies of particularly vulnerable populations who have survived disaster; she will draw on this paper in her remarks.
More than 4,500 families relocated to Colorado in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Based on analyses of data gathered through in-depth interviews with a purposive sample of 30 evacuee parents, 55 evacuee children, and 16 local resource... more
More than 4,500 families relocated to Colorado in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Based on analyses of data gathered through in-depth interviews with a purposive sample of 30 evacuee parents, 55 evacuee children, and 16 local resource providers, this research offers a theoretical model of displaced family adjustment. The model illustrates that after a brief period of family unity, parents and their children began to move in divergent directions in terms of their adjustment to life in Colorado. In particular, parents initially prioritized stability and security above all other considerations. Children, at the outset, expressed feelings of anger, sadness, and depression. Over time, as the children began to make friends and adapt to their new schools and neighborhoods, they felt more satisfied and at home. As the children settled in, however, the parents became increasingly overwhelmed. As the months passed, mothers and fathers struggled to find secure employment, child care, healt...
The Gulf Coast Population Impact project employed quantitative and qualitative research strategies to identify Gulf Coast communities where children were highly exposed and affected by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill of 2010, and then... more
The Gulf Coast Population Impact project employed quantitative and qualitative research strategies to identify Gulf Coast communities where children were highly exposed and affected by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill of 2010, and then used those data as the basis for community-level interventions targeted at youth. In 2012, based on BP claims data and NOAA oil monitoring data, we selected fifteen communities in four Gulf Coast states. Our team conducted 1,437 face-to-face household surveys, with 887 respondents in Louisiana, 177 in Mississippi, 140 in Alabama, and 233 in Florida. Parents reported considerable exposure to the oil spill as well as a number of physical and mental health problems among their children. Based on this household data, the research team traveled to four selected communities to interview 150 local officials and leaders and conduct in-depth parent focus groups. The qualitative research revealed a number of underlying issues affecting children and youth: lack o...
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ABSTRACT The SHOREline youth-empowerment project grew out of research in to the health effects of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on Gulf Coast youth. Capitalizing on enhancing pro-social behavior among high school students, SHOREline... more
ABSTRACT The SHOREline youth-empowerment project grew out of research in to the health effects of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on Gulf Coast youth. Capitalizing on enhancing pro-social behavior among high school students, SHOREline uses a project-based learning curriculum to facilitate the development of “Skills, Hope, Opportunities, Recovery, and Engagement.” The project’s goal is to develop a network of youth who help themselves, their families, their schools, their communities, and youth in other communities recover from disaster. Its mission is twofold: (1) To establish and sustain a network of disaster-affected youth; and (2) to develop skills, foster hope, and capitalize on opportunities to help disaster-affected youth recover from the loss and disruption caused by disasters. The project was inaugurated in September 2013 at schools in Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana. One hundred students applied to the program and sixty were accepted. The programs are run as both curricular and extra-curricular programs. This presentation will describe the curricular elements employed in the five chapters, report on the results of the program evaluation, and describe the “Capstone” projects developed among the high school chapters and how they are intended to achieve the program’s objective of “youth helping youth recover from disaster.” The SHOREline participants were challenged to articulate a problem that affects communities or youth after a disaster, identify a solution, and develop a project “to scale” so that it can be exported to other communities. The presentation will highlight one of the Capstone projects as described by a SHOREline youth participant.
ASCE and the Natural Hazards Research and Applications Information Center (NHRAIC) are pleased to announce the addition of a Book Reviews Section to the Natural Hazards Review. Dr. Benigno E. Aguirre will serve as the Book Editor. ... The... more
ASCE and the Natural Hazards Research and Applications Information Center (NHRAIC) are pleased to announce the addition of a Book Reviews Section to the Natural Hazards Review. Dr. Benigno E. Aguirre will serve as the Book Editor. ... The Natural Hazards Review is now soliciting hazards-related books published in the physical, social, and behavioral sciences; engineering; and regulatory and policy fields. Books should be submitted directly to Dr. Aguirre, at the following address: ... Benigno E. Aguirre Book Editor Department of ...
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ABSTRACT The Public Hazards Communication Annotated Bibliography contains over 300 annotated references to published documents that address the communication of hazards-related information to the public. Each reference is followed by a... more
ABSTRACT The Public Hazards Communication Annotated Bibliography contains over 300 annotated references to published documents that address the communication of hazards-related information to the public. Each reference is followed by a brief summary describing the main findings from the report, article, chapter, or book. Documents that address disaster preparedness and response are included, with a focus on hazards warnings and disaster evacuations. Studies include reference to both natural and technological hazards. The citations and summaries in the Public Hazards Communication Annotated Bibliography are an essential starting point for understanding how hazards are communicated to and understood by the public. Aguirre, B. 1991. "Evacuation in Cancun During Hurricane Gilbert. " International Journal of
Hurricane Andrew, which made landfall on August 24, 1992, was one of the most destructive hurricanes in American history, causing atypically high levels of psychological and physical health impairment among the resident population and... more
Hurricane Andrew, which made landfall on August 24, 1992, was one of the most destructive hurricanes in American history, causing atypically high levels of psychological and physical health impairment among the resident population and especially among vulnerable groups. This article investigates whether maternal exposure to Hurricane Andrew during pregnancy increased the risk of dystocia (or dysfunctional labor) and infant delivery by cesarean section, the standard medical response to abnormal labor progression. We analyze 297,996 birth events in Miami-Dade and Broward counties in Florida from 1992 to 1993 using propensity score methodology with stratification and nearest-neighbor matching algorithms. Results show that hurricane-exposed pregnant women were significantly more likely to experience stress-induced abnormal labor and cesarean delivery outcomes as compared to statistically matched comparison groups. The conclusion details the policy implications of our results, with particular attention to the importance of maternal prenatal care in the aftermath of disasters.
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This article presents the results of an evaluation of a volunteer training program that prepares participants to enter postdisaster settings to work with affected children and families.The evaluation, which uses a... more
This article presents the results of an evaluation of a volunteer training program that prepares participants to enter postdisaster settings to work with affected children and families.The evaluation, which uses a knowledge-skills-attitudes (KSA) approach, draws on the results of a telephone survey with 46 randomly selected program volunteers.Volunteers reported statistically significant knowledge gains in the three primary training areas: program-specific knowledge, disaster-specific knowledge, and child-specific knowledge.The respondents who had deployed to a disaster after becoming a certified volunteer connected three major training goals to their skills in the field. Specifically, they recalled and used training materials in terms of helping facilitate children's play, setting up and running a disaster child care center, and remaining flexible and adaptable in the highly uncertain postdisaster context.The research also revealed uniformly positive attitudes toward the trainers who conduct the 27-hour training sessions and high levels of satisfaction with the program itself.The article concludes with recommendations for further improving the program and discusses ways that universities can work with nonprofit disaster relief organizations to ensure timely and effective program evaluations.
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In the opening piece in this special section, Kai Erikson argues that Katrina is likely to long remain the most telling disaster event in modern history because of all that it revealed about our society. Erikson, as well as Steve... more
In the opening piece in this special section, Kai Erikson argues that
Katrina is likely to long remain the most telling disaster event in modern history
because of all that it revealed about our society. Erikson, as well as Steve
Kroll-Smith and Rachel Madsen (whose article follows this one), articulate a
special kind of urgency in our need to understand the consequences of this
catastrophe in the daily lives of those who were most affected by Katrina’s
devastating winds and deadly floodwaters.
This article describes an effort to document the experiences of people displaced
by Katrina. The hurricane and the flooding that followed ultimately
forced the evacuation of about 1.5 million people from across the Gulf Coast.
And although the exact numbers will never be known, most researchers and
practitioners working in this field now agree that the disaster led to the permanent
dislocation of tens of thousands of people. A disproportionate number of
those who were displaced over the long term were racial minorities, including
over 119,000 African American residents who had not returned to New Orleans
as of the 2010 Census count.
Here, we describe the efforts of our group, the Research Network on
Persons Displaced by Hurricane Katrina. Our goals as a network were to
(1) learn what we could about the experiences of displaced Katrina survivors,
and (2) consider the ways that the places where people landed—sometimes by
choice, other times by force of circumstance—shaped various outcomes for displaced
children and adults. Like the other contributions in this special section
of Sociological Inquiry, we focus less on our specific findings and more on
how we actually went about completing our research studies. Our hope is that
by sharing some thoughts about our own process—and by describing how our
projects fit under the larger umbrella of the Katrina Task Force—that readers
might consider how this type of collaborative social science work could
enhance their own scholarly practice.
Katrina is likely to long remain the most telling disaster event in modern history
because of all that it revealed about our society. Erikson, as well as Steve
Kroll-Smith and Rachel Madsen (whose article follows this one), articulate a
special kind of urgency in our need to understand the consequences of this
catastrophe in the daily lives of those who were most affected by Katrina’s
devastating winds and deadly floodwaters.
This article describes an effort to document the experiences of people displaced
by Katrina. The hurricane and the flooding that followed ultimately
forced the evacuation of about 1.5 million people from across the Gulf Coast.
And although the exact numbers will never be known, most researchers and
practitioners working in this field now agree that the disaster led to the permanent
dislocation of tens of thousands of people. A disproportionate number of
those who were displaced over the long term were racial minorities, including
over 119,000 African American residents who had not returned to New Orleans
as of the 2010 Census count.
Here, we describe the efforts of our group, the Research Network on
Persons Displaced by Hurricane Katrina. Our goals as a network were to
(1) learn what we could about the experiences of displaced Katrina survivors,
and (2) consider the ways that the places where people landed—sometimes by
choice, other times by force of circumstance—shaped various outcomes for displaced
children and adults. Like the other contributions in this special section
of Sociological Inquiry, we focus less on our specific findings and more on
how we actually went about completing our research studies. Our hope is that
by sharing some thoughts about our own process—and by describing how our
projects fit under the larger umbrella of the Katrina Task Force—that readers
might consider how this type of collaborative social science work could
enhance their own scholarly practice.
Research Interests:
The aim of this study was to develop a reliable and valid measure of hurricane risk perception. The utility of such a measure lies in the need to understand how people make decisions when facing an evacuation order. This study included... more
The aim of this study was to develop a reliable and valid measure of hurricane risk perception. The utility of such a measure lies in the need to understand how people make decisions when facing an evacuation order. This study included participants located within a 15-mile buffer of the Gulf and southeast Atlantic U.S. coasts. The study was executed as a three-wave panel with mail surveys in 2010–2012 (T 0 baseline N = 629, 56%; T 1 retention N = 427, 75%; T 2 retention N = 350, 89%). An inventory based on the psychometric model was developed to discriminate cognitive and affective perceptions of hurricane risk, and included open-ended responses to solicit additional concepts in the T 0 survey. Analysis of the T 0 data modified the inventory and this revised item set was fielded at T 1 and then replicated at T 2. The resulting scales were assessed for validity against existing measures for perception of hurricane risk, dispositional optimism, and locus of control. A measure of evacuation expectation was also examined as a dependent variable, which was significantly predicted by the new measures. The resulting scale was found to be reliable, stable, and largely valid against the comparison measures. Despite limitations involving sample size, bias, and the strength of some reliabilities, it was concluded that the measure has potential to inform approaches to hurricane preparedness efforts and advance planning for evacuation messages, and that the measure has good promise to generalize to other contexts in natural hazards as well as other domains of risk.
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Youth have historically been understudied in disaster research and largely excluded in practice. Yet, a growing body of evidence suggests that they want to be actively engaged, and when they are, can contribute in myriad ways to disaster... more
Youth have historically been understudied in disaster research and largely excluded in practice. Yet, a growing body of evidence suggests that they want to be actively engaged, and when they are, can contribute in myriad ways to disaster preparedness, response, and recovery processes. This field report describes the Youth Creating Disaster Recovery and Resilience (YCDR2) project—a Canadian- United States applied research initiative aimed at learning from and with youth ages 13-22 about their disaster experiences. The project used creative and arts-based methods to engage youth in participatory workshops held in disaster-affected communities. Key findings, research and implementation challenges, successes, and lessons learned are discussed.
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This comprehensive overview of the literature on children and disasters argues that scholars and practitioners should more carefully consider the experiences of children themselves. As the frequency and intensity of disaster events... more
This comprehensive overview of the literature on children and disasters argues that scholars and practitioners should more carefully consider the experiences of children themselves. As the frequency and intensity of disaster events increase around the globe, children are among those most at risk for the negative effects of disaster. Children are psychologically vulnerable and may develop post-traumatic stress disorder or related symptoms; are physically vulnerable to death, injury, illness, and abuse; and often experience disruptions or delays in their educational progress as a result of disasters. Children have special needs and may require different forms of physical, social, mental, and emotional support than adults. However, children also have the capacity to contribute to disaster preparedness, response, and recovery activities. In order to promote children’s resilience to disasters, we must improve their access to resources, empower them by encouraging their participation, offer support, and ensure equitable treatment.
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Hurricane Katrina was one of the most devastating disasters in the history of the United States. In this report, we examine children’s experiences in the aftermath of the catastrophe. Data was gathered through participant observation,... more
Hurricane Katrina was one of the most devastating disasters in the history of the United States. In this report, we examine children’s experiences in the aftermath of the catastrophe. Data was gathered through participant observation, focus groups, infor- mal interviews, and in-depth formal interviews with parents, grandparents, day care service providers, school administrators, elementary school teachers, mental health service providers, religious leaders, and evacuee shelter coordinators in Louisiana. This research describes the experiences of children and their families in the days and weeks following the storm, discusses what was done on behalf of chil- dren to reduce their vulnerability, and illustrates various things that children did for themselves and for others to lessen the impacts of the disaster.
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The Global Earthquake Model (GEM) Foundation is now at a point in its organizational history when it is ready to begin developing tools and resources for individuals who are not earthquake risk assessment experts. The research project... more
The Global Earthquake Model (GEM) Foundation is now at a point in its organizational history when it is ready to begin developing tools and resources for individuals who are not earthquake risk assessment experts. The research project described in this report was designed to learn about the needs of these individuals worldwide, in order to provide information that could help to guide GEM’s future tool and resource development.This project is an important initiative, as user needs are often not assessed prior to the development of scientific or technical tools. That lack of user needs assessment has contributed to a gap between what decision-makers and end users say that they want from science and technology, and what science and technology offer to decision-makers and end users. Fortunately, the gulf between scientific communities and policy-maker and practitioner communities is not so great that it cannot be overcome. Engaging in dialogue and needs assessments—such as the one described in this report—across the divide is one of the best ways to begin to build bridges between these communities.
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It has become clear that natural and related technological hazards and disasters are not a problem that can be solved in isolation. Rather, the occurrence of a disaster is a symptom of broader and more basic problems. Since 1994 a team... more
It has become clear that natural and related technological hazards and disasters are not a problem that can be solved in isolation. Rather, the occurrence of a disaster is a symptom of broader and more basic problems. Since 1994 a team of over JOO expert academics and practitioners- including somefrom the private sector-have assessed, evaluated, and summarized knowledge about natural and technological hazards in the United States.f rom the perspectives of the physical, natural, social and behavioral, and engineering sciences. The major thesis of thefindings from this national project is that hazard losses, and thefact that there seems to be an inability in the US to reduce those losses, are the consequences of narrow and short-sighted development patterns, cultural premises, and attitudes toward the natural environment, science, and technology. A way is proposed for people and the US to take responsibility for disaster losses, to design future hazard losses, and to link hazard mitigation to sustainable development.
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We use dialogic theory to frame our conversation about how we are completing our Ph.D.s, in an attempt to help other students finish their degrees. Dialogic theory allows us to document how we think through the Ph.D. process, critically... more
We use dialogic theory to frame our conversation about how we are completing our Ph.D.s, in an attempt to help other students finish their degrees. Dialogic theory allows us to document how we think through the Ph.D. process, critically evaluate our experiences in graduate school, and transcend solely individualistic or structurally oriented advice about how to complete a Ph.D. Further, our conversational format exemplifies the open- ended focus of dialogic theory, demonstrating that there is no single "best" way to complete the Ph.D. Indeed, students may continue our conversation in order to figure out how to complete their Ph.D.s, in their own particular circumstances.
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Given the importance of nurturing the next generation of hazards and disaster researchers and exposing them to the breadth, depth, and vitality of the field, surprisingly little has been written that explicitly addresses this topic. In... more
Given the importance of nurturing the next generation of hazards and disaster researchers and exposing them to the breadth, depth, and vitality of the field, surprisingly little has been written that explicitly addresses this topic. In this article, I examine the role of research centers in transforming the field of disaster research and specifically focus on the responsibility of research centers in educating and mentoring new scholars, who in turn will influence the future directions of the field. I discuss five aspects of training new researchers that I consider essential: a) fostering commitment to the field; b) maintaining academic and professional integrity; c) examining root causes of disasters; d) developing and improving research agendas; and e) disseminating research findings. The role of research centers is critical in the training process, given that there is probably no better venue for educating new scholars and ultimately encouraging innovative perspectives, generating new knowledge, advancing science, and strengthening the field.
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Conflict between immigrant parents and their children who were born or raised in the United States is a recurrent theme in the study of immigrant adaptation. Parents often fear that their children are assimilating to American culture... more
Conflict between immigrant parents and their children who were born or raised in the United States is a recurrent theme in the study of immigrant adaptation. Parents often fear that their children are assimilating to American culture too rapidly as they attempt to fit in with their peers and conform to media images. Yet parents may also become concerned when their children choose to publicly express their ethnic and religious roots, risking possible ostracism and discrimination. The result in either case is conflict between the generations.
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This research, which was conducted in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, draws on 50 in-depth interviews with displaced single mothers and disaster relief providers in Colorado. Government agencies and charitable organizations offered... more
This research, which was conducted in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, draws on 50 in-depth interviews with displaced single mothers and disaster relief providers in Colorado. Government agencies and charitable organizations offered various resources and services to Katrina evacuees, including food, clothing, emergency shelter, temporary housing, transportation, employment assistance, temporary childcare, school enrollment assistance, and health care. This study illustrates that there was close alignment between resources provided by disaster response organizations and resources needed by displaced single mothers. Yet, despite the considerable overlap, the single mothers in this study experienced many recovery-related difficulties associated with accessing available resources. In particular, single mothers 1) were often unaware of available resource; 2) experienced a conjunction of many different, pressing needs; 3) suffered a loss of their informal social safety net; 4) encountered numerous bureaucratic obstacles in accessing aid; and 5) often felt mistreated and stigmatized. These barriers to accessing resources heightened the vulnerability of single mother headed households.
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Given the increasing diversity of the US population and the continued threat of hurricane devastation along the heavily populated Gulf Coast region, the lack of research on preparedness and sheltering activities across religious or... more
Given the increasing diversity of the US population and the continued threat of hurricane devastation along the heavily populated Gulf Coast region, the lack of research on preparedness and sheltering activities across religious or cultural groups represents a significant gap in the field of hazards and disaster research. To address this void, a questionnaire examining hurricane preparedness attitudes and sheltering preferences was administered to Muslims living in Tampa, Florida.
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Children of the Spills is an oral history project created to encourage people in “oiled communities” to share their childhood memories, stories, and artwork. This project strives to broaden public understanding of the damaging human... more
Children of the Spills is an oral history project created to encourage people in “oiled communities” to share their childhood memories, stories, and artwork. This project strives to broaden public understanding of the damaging human effects of oil spills and to assist communities as they work to protect and support children growing up in post–disaster settings. Ultimately, this project explores the ways that dramatic changes to the surrounding environment shape young people and the places where they live. Children of the Spills was carried out in two phases. The first focused on collecting oral histories from adults in Alaska who were between the ages of 1-19 at the time of the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill and were raised in communities affected by the disaster. The second engaged children and youth in the U.S. Gulf Coast states of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama who were impacted by the 2010 BP/Deepwater Horizon oil spill. This field report describes the Phase II work of the Children of the Spills project along the Gulf Coast.
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Children of the Spills is an oral history project created to encourage people in “oiled communities” to share their childhood memories, stories, and artwork. This project strives to broaden public understanding of the damaging human... more
Children of the Spills is an oral history project created to encourage people in “oiled communities” to share their childhood memories, stories, and artwork. This project strives to broaden public understanding of the damaging human effects of oil spills and to assist communities as they work to protect and support children growing up in post–disaster settings. Ultimately, this project explores the ways that dramatic changes to the surrounding environment shape young people and the places where they live. Children of the Spills was carried out in two phases. The first focused on collecting oral histories from adults in Alaska who were between the ages of 1-19 at the time of the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill and were raised in communities affected by the disaster. The second engaged children and youth in the U.S. Gulf Coast states of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama who were impacted by the 2010 BP/Deepwater Horizon oil spill. This first field report describes the Phase I work of the Children of the Spills project in Alaska, while a second field report summarizes. Phase II activities carried out along the Gulf Coast.
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This article argues for expanding the ethical frame of concern in disaster research from the early phases of site access to longer-term issues that may arise in the field. Drawing on ethical theory, these arguments are developed in five... more
This article argues for expanding the ethical frame of concern in disaster research from the early phases of site access to longer-term issues that may arise in the field. Drawing on ethical theory, these arguments are developed in five sections. First, we identify the philosophical roots of ethical principles used in social science research. Second, we discuss how ethical concerns span the entire lifecycle of disaster-related research projects but are not fully addressed in the initial protocols for gaining Institutional Research Board (IRB) approval. Third, we introduce the idea of the philosophically- informed “ethical toolkit,” established to help build awareness of moral obligations and to provide ways to navigate ethical confusion to reach sound research decisions. Specifically, we use the work of W. D. Ross to introduce a template of moral considerations that include fidelity, reparation, gratitude, justice, beneficence, self- improvement, and non-maleficence. We suggest that in the absence of a clear framework that researchers can use to think through ethical dilemmas as they arise, Ross’ pluralist approach to ethical problem solving offers flexibility and clarity, and, at the same time, leaves space to apply our own understanding of the context in question. Fourth, we draw on six examples from our respective research studies conducted following Hurricane Katrina. Using these examples, we discuss how, in retrospect, we can apply Ross’ moral considerations to the ethical issues raised including: (1) shifting vulnerability among disaster survivors, (2) the expectations of participants, and (3) concerns about reciprocity in long-term fieldwork. Fifth, we consider how the ethical toolkit we are proposing may improve the quality of research and research relationships.
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This study focuses on levels of concern for hurricanes among individuals living along the Gulf Coast during the quiescent two-year period following the exceptionally destructive 2005 hurricane season. A small study of risk perception and... more
This study focuses on levels of concern for hurricanes among individuals living along the Gulf Coast during the quiescent two-year period following the exceptionally destructive 2005 hurricane season. A small study of risk perception and optimistic bias was conducted immediately following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Two years later, a follow-up was done in which respondents were recontacted. This provided an opportunity to examine changes, and potential causal ordering, in risk perception and optimistic bias. The analysis uses 201 panel respondents who were matched across the two mail surveys. Measures included hurricane risk perception, optimistic bias for hurricane evacuation, past hurricane experience, and a small set of demographic variables (age, sex, income, and education). Paired t-tests were used to compare scores across time. Hurricane risk perception declined and optimistic bias increased. Cross-lagged correlations were used to test the potential causal ordering between risk perception and optimistic bias, with a weak effect suggesting the former affects the latter. Additional cross-lagged analysis using structural equation modeling was used to look more closely at the components of optimistic bias (risk to self vs. risk to others). A significant and stronger potentially causal effect from risk perception to optimistic bias was found. Analysis of the experience and demographic variables’ effects on risk perception and optimistic bias, and their change, provided mixed results. The lessening of risk perception and increase in optimistic bias over the period of quiescence suggest that risk communicators and emergency managers should direct attention toward reversing these trends to increase disaster preparedness.
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This article summarizes the results from a 2013 online survey with 408 principals and assistant principals in New York Citypublic elementary and middle schools. The survey assessed three primary areas: health issues in the school, health... more
This article summarizes the results from a 2013 online survey with 408 principals and assistant principals in New York Citypublic elementary and middle schools. The survey assessed three primary areas: health issues in the school, health issues perceived as barriers to learning for affected students, and resources needed to address these barriers. Eighteen of the 22 health conditions listed in the survey were considered a moderate or serious issue within their schools by at least 10% of respondents. All 22 of the health issues were perceived as a barrier to learning by between 12% and 87% of the respondents. Representatives from schools that serve a higher percentage of low-income students reported significantly higher levels of concern about the extent of health issues and their impact on learning. Respondents most often said they need linkages with organizations that can provide additional services and resources at the school, especially for mental health.
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As the nation tried to absorb the shock of the 9/11 attacks, Muslim Americans were caught up in an unprecedented wave of backlash violence. Public discussion revealed that widespread misunderstanding and misrepresentation of Islam... more
As the nation tried to absorb the shock of the 9/11 attacks, Muslim Americans were caught up in an unprecedented wave of backlash violence. Public discussion revealed that widespread misunderstanding and misrepresentation of Islam persisted, despite the striking diversity of the Muslim community.
Letting the voices of 140 ordinary Muslim American men and women describe their experiences, Lori Peek's path-breaking book, Behind the Backlash presents moving accounts of prejudice and exclusion. Muslims speak of being subjected to harassment before the attacks, and recount the discrimination they encountered afterwards. Peek also explains the struggles of young Muslim adults to solidify their community and define their identity during a time of national crisis.
Behind the Backlash seeks to explain why blame and scapegoating occur after a catastrophe. Peek sets the twenty-first century experience of Muslim Americans, who were vilified and victimized, in the context of larger sociological and psychological processes. Peek’s book will be of interest to those in disaster research studies, sociology of religion, and race and ethnic relations.
Letting the voices of 140 ordinary Muslim American men and women describe their experiences, Lori Peek's path-breaking book, Behind the Backlash presents moving accounts of prejudice and exclusion. Muslims speak of being subjected to harassment before the attacks, and recount the discrimination they encountered afterwards. Peek also explains the struggles of young Muslim adults to solidify their community and define their identity during a time of national crisis.
Behind the Backlash seeks to explain why blame and scapegoating occur after a catastrophe. Peek sets the twenty-first century experience of Muslim Americans, who were vilified and victimized, in the context of larger sociological and psychological processes. Peek’s book will be of interest to those in disaster research studies, sociology of religion, and race and ethnic relations.
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This chapter provides an overview of disaster risk reduction (DRR) activities underway in 11 earthquake-prone cities including Antakya and Istanbul, The goal is to provide information about the tools and resources that practitioners and... more
This chapter provides an overview of disaster risk reduction (DRR) activities underway in 11 earthquake-prone cities including Antakya and Istanbul, The goal is to provide information about the tools and resources that practitioners and organizations in these 11 cities have access to, in order to provide a more comprehensive understanding of DRR strategies and a better sense of the contexts in which future potential products may be created, evaluated, and ultimately adopted. Drawing on both survey and in-depth interview data with earthquake safety practitioners from government, business, health care, education, and grassroots groups, the chapter describes earthquake and disaster risk reduction programs and initiatives in these communities, explains what spurred the creation of those programs and initiatives, details the technical tools and resources that practitioners in these cities currently use to assess and mitigate their risk, and analyzes the communication channels that disaster and risk professionals now have access to and find most useful in their work. The chapter concludes with a discussion of overarching motivations for adopting new disaster and seismic risk reduction (SRR) practices and offers practical advice to help guide the development of risk reduction tools for use in earthquake-prone cities around the world.
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The object of social marketing is to increase the prevalence of a target•-" ri behavior in a specific population. Hazards education is one form of social; marketing; it attempts to increase protective actions by people, house-*, J't... more
The object of social marketing is to increase the prevalence of a target•-" ri behavior in a specific population. Hazards education is one form of social; marketing; it attempts to increase protective actions by people, house-*, J't holds, and groups through the presentation of information about a hazard and the*'■• risk it poses. This type of education often fosters a sense of doubt and insecurity,;:,:::: causing people to wonder about their environment and to question their safety in., it.
The purpose of this chapter is to inform the reader of what is known in the field of natural hazards and disaster research. The chapter begins with an outline of the history of disaster research, which is followed by a brief synopsis of... more
The purpose of this chapter is to inform the reader of what is known in the field of natural hazards and disaster research. The chapter begins with an outline of the history of disaster research, which is followed by a brief synopsis of the hazards adjustment paradigm. Disaster impacts are then examined, with a focus on deaths, injuries, and dollar losses as well as psychological, short-term, and long-term impacts. Next, warning systems and public response to warnings are detailed.
As news spread of the events of September 11, 2001, people around the world reacted with shock, horror, and grief. However, in addition to reports of the immense destruction and suffering caused by the terrorist attacks, there was also a... more
As news spread of the events of September 11, 2001, people around the world reacted with shock, horror, and grief. However, in addition to reports of the immense destruction and suffering caused by the terrorist attacks, there was also a significant amount of media coverage regarding the pro-social behavior that subsequently occurred.
Abstract In this research, we examined children's experiences in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in an effort to contribute to the disaster literature on this important and seriously understudied topic. Specifically, we explored the... more
Abstract In this research, we examined children's experiences in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in an effort to contribute to the disaster literature on this important and seriously understudied topic. Specifically, we explored the following research questions:(1) What were the children's experiences in the disaster?;(2) What are others doing for the children to lessen their vulnerability?; and () What are children doing for themselves and others to reduce disaster impacts?
Gendered disaster social science rests on the social fact of gender as a primary organizing principle of societies and the conviction that gender must be addressed if we are to claim knowledge about all people living in risky... more
Gendered disaster social science rests on the social fact of gender as a primary organizing principle of societies and the conviction that gender must be addressed if we are to claim knowledge about all people living in risky environments. Theoretically, researchers in the area are moving toward a more nuanced, international, and comparative approach that examines gender relations in the context of other categories of social difference and power such as race, ethnicity, nationality, and social class.
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The length of time that someone has lived can significantly affect that person's ability to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disaster. Indeed, age is correlated with a number of factors associated with one's likelihood of... more
The length of time that someone has lived can significantly affect that person's ability to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disaster. Indeed, age is correlated with a number of factors associated with one's likelihood of withstanding a disaster event. For example, age in many ways influences cognitive development, physical ability and mobility, socioeconomic status, access to resources, assumed responsibility for disaster preparedness and response activities, and levels of social integration or isolation. Thus it is clear that age alone does not make a person vulnerable. Instead age interacts with many other factors to result in the increased vulnerability of some members of our population, particularly the very young and the old. As such, this chapter focuses specifically on the vulnerabilities of children and the elderly in disaster.
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June 1, 2010 marked the official opening of the annual Atlantic hurricane season. Atmospheric scientists predicted that the season would be "above average" in terms of hurricane activity, with a forecast of over 10... more
June 1, 2010 marked the official opening of the annual Atlantic hurricane season. Atmospheric scientists predicted that the season would be "above average" in terms of hurricane activity, with a forecast of over 10 named storms throughout 2010. How would residents cope with this latest crisis? As speculation continued on the potential effects of a hurricane with the oil spill, coastal residents began preparations for a hurricane season complicated by a seemingly unstoppable spill. Just three weeks after the start of the hurricane season, in mid-June of 20 I 0, our research team launched the first wave of a three-year panel survey on risk perception and hurricane evacuation decision-making processes and behaviors. The survey was mailed to a spatially random sample of individuals living within 10 miles of the Gulf or Atlantic Coasts, stretching from Texas to North Carolina. We dedicated half of the final page of the survey to an open-ended question eliciting written comments from participants regarding their opinions about the interaction of hurricanes and the oil spill. Of the 629 total survey respondents, 270 offered their thoughts on the oil spill and the potential for a "ria-tech" disaster if a hurricane were to occur.
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Some populations are more vulnerable and at higher risk from disasters than other populations. This chapter will help you identify high-risk, high-vulnerability populations and understand their unique needs in a disaster context.... more
Some populations are more vulnerable and at higher risk from disasters than other populations. This chapter will help you identify high-risk, high-vulnerability populations and understand their unique needs in a disaster context. Employing an ecosystems approach across the life cycle of a disaster, you will explore potential strategies geared to reducing vulnerability, providing necessary assistance or accommodation, and building the capacity of individuals, families, caregivers, agencies, and organizations, and the community to reduce the negative impacts of disasters.Case studies, tips, and tools are included to help you apply what you learn.
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Marriage is central to social life and religious practice for Muslims throughout the Islamic world as well as in the United States. Given the considerable diversity of the American Muslim population-composed of first-and second-generation... more
Marriage is central to social life and religious practice for Muslims throughout the Islamic world as well as in the United States. Given the considerable diversity of the American Muslim population-composed of first-and second-generation immigrants of many different nationalities, long-established Arab and African American Muslim communities, and converts to Islam-it is not surprising that there is a range of marriage practices among Muslims in the United States.
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Prior to Hurricane Katrina, research on the social impacts of natural disasters, on the one hand, and environmental justice scholarship, on the other hand, seemed to be running on parallel tracks. Researchers working in both... more
Prior to Hurricane Katrina, research on the social impacts of natural disasters, on the one hand, and environmental justice scholarship, on the other hand, seemed to be running on parallel tracks. Researchers working in both subdisciplines sought to explain the disproportionate vulnerability to hazards and disasters faced by communities of color. However, there was a general lack of theoretical or conceptual crossfertilization between the two areas of inquiry. Moreover, while disaster researchers have primarily focused their ...
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PurposeSocial vulnerability in the context of disaster management refers to the sociodemographic characteristics of a population and the physical, social, economic, and environmental factors that increase their susceptibility to adverse... more
PurposeSocial vulnerability in the context of disaster management refers to the sociodemographic characteristics of a population and the physical, social, economic, and environmental factors that increase their susceptibility to adverse disaster outcomes and capacity to anticipate, cope with, resist, and recover from disaster events. Because disasters do not impact people equally, researchers, public health practitioners, and emergency managers need training to meet the complex needs of vulnerable populations.Design/methodology/approachTo address gaps in current education, the CONVERGE initiative, headquartered at the Natural Hazards Center at the University of Colorado Boulder, developed the Social Vulnerability and Disasters Training Module. This free online course draws on decades of research to examine the factors that influence social vulnerability to disasters. Examples of studies and evidence-based programs are included to illuminate common methods for studying social vulnera...
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This study analyzes the spatial distribution of crime outcomes at the county scale in Florida as a function of natural disasters. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and conditional fixed effects negative binomial statistical techniques... more
This study analyzes the spatial distribution of crime outcomes at the county scale in Florida as a function of natural disasters. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and conditional fixed effects negative binomial statistical techniques are used. Four crime outcomes are analyzed: index crimes, property crimes, violent crimes, and domestic violence crimes. Adjusting for socio-demographic and social order variables, we find that natural disasters significantly decrease levels of reported index, property, and violent crimes, but significantly increase the expected count of reported domestic violence crimes.
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Landslides are frequent and damaging natural hazards that threaten the people and the natural and built environments of Puerto Rico. In 2017, more than 70,000 landslides were triggered across the island by heavy rainfall from Hurricane... more
Landslides are frequent and damaging natural hazards that threaten the people and the natural and built environments of Puerto Rico. In 2017, more than 70,000 landslides were triggered across the island by heavy rainfall from Hurricane María, prompting requests by local professionals for landslide education and outreach materials. This article describes a novel collaborative risk communication framework that was developed to meet those requests and shaped the creation of a Spanish- and English-language Landslide Guide for Residents of Puerto Rico. Collaborative risk communication is defined here as an iterative process guided by a set of principles for the interdisciplinary coproduction of hazards information and communication products by local and external stakeholders. The process that supports this form of risk communication involves mapping out the risk communication stakeholders in the at-risk or disaster-affected location—in this case Puerto Rico—and collaborating over time to...
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Russia’s military incursion into Ukraine triggered the mass displacement of two-thirds of Ukrainian children and adolescents, creating a cascade of population health consequences and producing extraordinary challenges for monitoring and... more
Russia’s military incursion into Ukraine triggered the mass displacement of two-thirds of Ukrainian children and adolescents, creating a cascade of population health consequences and producing extraordinary challenges for monitoring and controlling preventable pediatric infectious diseases. From the onset of the war, infectious disease surveillance and healthcare systems were severely disrupted. Prior to the reestablishment of dependable infectious disease surveillance systems, and during the early months of the conflict, our international team of pediatricians, infectious disease specialists, and population health scientists assessed the health implications for child and adolescent populations. The invasion occurred just as the COVID-19 Omicron surge was peaking throughout Europe and Ukrainian children had not received COVID-19 vaccines. In addition, vaccine coverage for multiple vaccine-preventable diseases, most notably measles, was alarmingly low as Ukrainian children and adoles...
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A seismic loss estimation model is incorporated into a multi-objective community-level optimization for identifying the optimal retrofit plan for the woodframe building stock with the intention of improving a community's resiliency to... more
A seismic loss estimation model is incorporated into a multi-objective community-level optimization for identifying the optimal retrofit plan for the woodframe building stock with the intention of improving a community's resiliency to earthquakes. The framework of the loss estimation model and multi-objective optimization considers five damage states based on potential morbidity rates, repair costs, relocation costs, and repair times. A community-level case study is conducted for Los Angeles County, California considering a maximum considered earthquake (MCE) seismic hazard using a simplified design space. The framework provides the pareto-optimal set of retrofit solutions for the community allowing for decision makers to apply community preferences in selecting the "optimal" resiliency plan.
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It is of great research interest to explore paths which reduce the severity of a natural disaster, where the severity of a natural disaster may be quantified as the product of exposure and vulnerability. Thus disaster reduction can be... more
It is of great research interest to explore paths which reduce the severity of a natural disaster, where the severity of a natural disaster may be quantified as the product of exposure and vulnerability. Thus disaster reduction can be accomplished through decreasing either, or both, the natural hazard exposure and/or the community’s vulnerabilities. Communities have both physical and social vulnerabilities, and these are often linked. This study presents an approach at reducing the physical vulnerabilities of two communities through their residential building stock by modeling the social vulnerabilities and demonstrating the link between the two. Household dislocation, critical injuries, fatalities, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were used as the vulnerability metrics. Two community-level retrofit plans were explored: one which retrofitted all low-code buildings to code level, and a second which retrofitted all low-code buildings to a high-code level. The retrofit plans we...
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Disaster exposure is a strong predictor of survivor mental health following large-scale disasters. However, there is continued debate regarding how disaster exposure should be measured and quantified, as well as whether specific types of... more
Disaster exposure is a strong predictor of survivor mental health following large-scale disasters. However, there is continued debate regarding how disaster exposure should be measured and quantified, as well as whether specific types of disaster exposure are more likely to influence certain mental health outcomes like psychological distress or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In this article, we propose the Disaster Exposure Matrix to explain how specific types and levels of disaster exposure are associated with particular mental health outcomes. We use data from the Sandy Child and Family Health study—an observational cohort study of 1000 randomly selected New Jersey residents who were living in the nine counties most-affected by Hurricane Sandy (2012)—to examine how direct and indirect disaster exposure at both the individual and community levels influence the likelihood of experiencing psychological distress and probable PTSD in the two years after Hurricane Sandy. Weighted logistic regression models demonstrate that particular measures of individual-level direct and indirect exposure uniquely influence probable PTSD and psychological distress, respectively. Community-level indirect exposure is significantly associated with psychological distress but not with probable PTSD. Findings highlight the importance of specificity when measuring the effects of disaster exposure on mental health, including separating exposures that occur at the individual and community level, as well as distinguishing those that are experienced directly from the event from those that are indirect and experienced after the meteorological or geophysical event has passed.
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Past research clearly demonstrates that gender influences resources, capacities, decision-making processes, and outcomes throughout the disaster lifecycle, as well as the practical management of disaster risk, response, and recovery... more
Past research clearly demonstrates that gender influences resources, capacities, decision-making processes, and outcomes throughout the disaster lifecycle, as well as the practical management of disaster risk, response, and recovery structures. Now well-established in disaster science, gender analysis has grown in scope and influence over the past decade. This chapter updates the authors’ earlier review, again focusing on English-language peer-reviewed materials relating to natural, technological, and intentional hazards and disasters. The authors reflect on the diverse theories and methods shaping contemporary research, and synthesize key international findings about mortality, health, and well-being; gender-based violence; family and work; and grassroots change. They further highlight three critical lines of inquiry now emerging regarding sexual minorities, masculinities, and climate change in gender and disaster research. The chapter concludes with research recommendations and with strategies for utilizing new knowledge about gendered vulnerability and resilience to reduce risk, minimize losses, and decrease suffering in disasters.
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Older adults are especially vulnerable to disasters due to high rates of chronic illness, disability, and social isolation. Limited research examines how gender, race/ethnicity, and forces of nature—defined here as different types of... more
Older adults are especially vulnerable to disasters due to high rates of chronic illness, disability, and social isolation. Limited research examines how gender, race/ethnicity, and forces of nature—defined here as different types of natural hazards, such as storms and earthquakes—intersect to shape older adults’ disaster-related mortality risk. We compare mortality rates among older adults (60+ years) in the United States across gender, race/ethnicity, and hazard type using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Wonder database. Our results demonstrate that older adult males have higher mortality rates than females. American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) males have the highest mortality and are particularly impacted by excessive cold. Mortality is also high among Black males, especially due to cataclysmic storms. To address disparities, messaging and programs targeting the dangers of excessive cold should be emphasized for AI/AN older adult males, whereas efforts to reduce...
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Methods matter. They influence what we know and who we come to know about in the context of hazards and disasters. Research methods are of profound importance to the scholarly advancement of the field and, accordingly, a growing number of... more
Methods matter. They influence what we know and who we come to know about in the context of hazards and disasters. Research methods are of profound importance to the scholarly advancement of the field and, accordingly, a growing number of publications focus on research methods and ethical practices associated with the study of extreme events. Still, notable gaps exist. The National Science Foundation-funded Social Science Extreme Events Research (SSEER) network was formed, in part, to respond to the need for more specific information about the status and expertise of the social science hazards and disaster research workforce. Drawing on data from 1,013 SSEER members located across five United Nations (UN) regions, this article reports on the demographic characteristics of SSEER researchers; provides a novel inventory of methods used by social science hazards and disaster researchers; and explores how methodological approaches vary by specific researcher attributes including discipli...
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This article conceptualizes the collective method to describe how 12 scholars worked collaboratively to study the effects of displacement following Hurricane Katrina. The collective method is defined as an integrated, reflexive process of... more
This article conceptualizes the collective method to describe how 12 scholars worked collaboratively to study the effects of displacement following Hurricane Katrina. The collective method is defined as an integrated, reflexive process of research design and implementation in which a diverse group of scholars studying a common phenomenon-yet working on independent projects-engage in repeated theoretical and methodological discussions to improve (1) research transparency and accountability and (2) the rigor and efficacy of each member’s unique project. This process generates critical discussions over researchers’ and respondents’ positionality, the framework of intersectionality, and applied ethics. Informed by feminist theoretical and methodological considerations of reflexivity, insider-outsider positionality, power relations, and social justice, the collective method can enhance scholars’ standpoints regarding philosophical, ethical, and strategic issues that emerge in the researc...
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The United States 'population is growing and diversifying rapidly. The nation is also experiencing an increase in the frequency and magnitude of disasters. Yet, most organizations that respond to these disaster events operate with a... more
The United States 'population is growing and diversifying rapidly. The nation is also experiencing an increase in the frequency and magnitude of disasters. Yet, most organizations that respond to these disaster events operate with a homogenous volunteer base - largely, white, middle class, and older. To improve program reach and effectiveness, diversifying volunteer pools is increasingly important. This article presents an evaluation of one response organization attempting to diversify its volunteer base geographically, ethnically, and linguistically, to better serve disaster survivors. Drawing on interviews with program leadership, the results, highlight two needs: 1) clear communication about the definition and rationale of diversity throughout the organization and 2) implementation of volunteer recruitment methods to address these goals.
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Children and youth often demonstrate resilience and capacity in the face of disasters. Yet, they are typically not given the opportunities to engage in youth-driven research and lack access to official channels through which to contribute... more
Children and youth often demonstrate resilience and capacity in the face of disasters. Yet, they are typically not given the opportunities to engage in youth-driven research and lack access to official channels through which to contribute their perspectives to policy and practice during the recovery process. To begin to fill this void in research and action, this multi-site research project engaged youth from disaster-affected communities in Canada and the United States. This article presents a flexible youth-centric workshop methodology that uses participatory and arts-based methods to elicit and explore youth’s disaster and recovery experiences. The opportunities and challenges associated with initiating and maintaining partnerships, reciprocity and youth-adult power differentials using arts-based methods, and sustaining engagement in post-disaster settings, are discussed. Ultimately, this work contributes to further understanding of the methods being used to conduct research for,...
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ABSTRACTObjectives: Children may experience psychological, physical, and educational vulnerability as the result of a disaster. Of these 3 vulnerability types, educational vulnerability has received the most limited scholarly attention.... more
ABSTRACTObjectives: Children may experience psychological, physical, and educational vulnerability as the result of a disaster. Of these 3 vulnerability types, educational vulnerability has received the most limited scholarly attention. The 2 primary objectives of this research are to describe what forms of educational support displaced children said that they needed after Hurricane Katrina and to identify who or what facilitated children's educational recovery.Methods: This article draws on data gathered through participant observation and interviews with 40 African American children between the ages of 7 and 18 years who relocated to Colorado with their families after Hurricane Katrina.Results: In the first year following Hurricane Katrina, more than 75% of the children in the sample experienced a decline in grades. In subsequent years, the children reported greater satisfaction with their schools in Colorado and their overall educational experience. The children identified th...
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One question that emerged following the 11 September attacks was how to categorise and classify the event within existing disaster and conflict‐event research frameworks. A decade ago, Quarantelli (1993) compared findings on the... more
One question that emerged following the 11 September attacks was how to categorise and classify the event within existing disaster and conflict‐event research frameworks. A decade ago, Quarantelli (1993) compared findings on the similarities and differences between consensus‐ and conflict‐type events by illustrating a conceptual distinction between the two. In this paper, this discussionis expanded to include terrorist attacks by offering comparisons from research findings following 11 September. We provide analyses of individual, organisational, and community‐level behaviour in crisis situations and suggest how 11 September is both similar to, and differs from, consensus‐ and conflict‐type events as they were previously considered. Applications for emergency management are also suggested.
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Some populations are more vulnerable and at higher risk from disasters than other populations. This chapter will help you identify high-risk, high-vulnerability populations and understand their unique needs in a disaster context.... more
Some populations are more vulnerable and at higher risk from disasters than other populations. This chapter will help you identify high-risk, high-vulnerability populations and understand their unique needs in a disaster context. Employing an ecosystems approach across the life cycle of a disaster, you will explore potential strategies geared to reducing vulnerability, providing necessary assistance or accommodation, and building the capacity of individuals, families, caregivers, agencies, and organizations, and the community to reduce the negative impacts of disasters.Case studies, tips, and tools are included to help you apply what you learn.
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Work for hire. Funded by $1,190,000 grant from NJ Dept. of Health. Division of Family Health Services.
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AbstractThis paper describes a novel data set and an accompanying online listing and interactive web map that displays university-based hazards and disaster research centers globally. To date, this...
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This chapter provides an overview of disaster risk reduction (DRR) activities underway in 11 earthquake-prone cities including Antakya and Istanbul, Turkey; Bandung and Padang, Indonesia; Chincha and Lima, Peru; Christchurch, New Zealand;... more
This chapter provides an overview of disaster risk reduction (DRR) activities underway in 11 earthquake-prone cities including Antakya and Istanbul, Turkey; Bandung and Padang, Indonesia; Chincha and Lima, Peru; Christchurch, New Zealand; Delhi and Guwahati, India; San Francisco, USA; and Thimphu, Bhutan. The goal is to provide information about the tools and resources that practitioners and organizations in these 11 cities have access to, in order to provide a more comprehensive understanding of DRR strategies and a better sense of the contexts in which future potential products may be created, evaluated, and ultimately adopted. Drawing on both survey and in-depth interview data with earthquake safety practitioners from government, business, health care, education, and grassroots groups, the chapter describes earthquake and disaster risk reduction programs and initiatives in these communities, explains what spurred the creation of those programs and initiatives, details the technical tools and resources that practitioners in these cities currently use to assess and mitigate their risk, and analyzes the communication channels that disaster and risk professionals now have access to and find most useful in their work. The chapter concludes with a discussion of overarching motivations for adopting new disaster and seismic risk reduction (SRR) practices and offers practical advice to help guide the development of risk reduction tools for use in earthquake-prone cities around the world.
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Research Interests: Sociology, Gender, Disaster Response, Children, Disasters, and 4 moreHurricane Katrina, Displacement, Parents, and Wake
Gendered disaster social science rests on the social fact of gender as a primary organizing principle of societies and the conviction that gender must be addressed if we are to claim knowledge about all people living in risky... more
Gendered disaster social science rests on the social fact of gender as a primary organizing principle of societies and the conviction that gender must be addressed if we are to claim knowledge about all people living in risky environments. Theoretically, researchers in the area are moving toward a more nuanced, international, and comparative approach that examines gender relations in the context of other categories of social difference and power such as race, ethnicity, nationality, and social class. At a practical level, researchers seek ...
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Objectives: Given the increasing diversity of the US population and the continued threat of hurricane devastation along the heavily populated Gulf Coast region, the lack of research on preparedness and sheltering activities across... more
Objectives: Given the increasing diversity of the US population and the continued threat of hurricane devastation along the heavily populated Gulf Coast region, the lack of research on preparedness and sheltering activities across religious or cultural groups represents a significant gap in the field of hazards and disaster research. To address this void, a questionnaire examining hurricane preparedness attitudes and sheltering preferences was administered to Muslims living in Tampa, Florida. Design: An exploratory study using a cross-sectional survey of Muslim adults who were attending a religious or cultural event. Setting: The Islamic Society of Tampa Bay Area and the Muslim American Society located in Tampa, Florida. Participants: The final convenience sample of 139 adults had a mean age of 38.87 years (±11.8) with males and females equally represented. Results: Significant differences were found in disaster planning activities and confidence in hurricane preparedness. Notably, 70.2 percent of the respondents were unsure about having a plan or were without a plan. Of the 29.7 percent who actually had a plan, 85.4 percent of those individuals were confident in their hurricane preparedness. This study also revealed that safety, cleanliness, access to a prayer room, and privacy were concerns related to using a public shelter during hurricanes. Nearly half of the respondents (47.4 percent) noted that the events of 9/11 influenced their comfort level about staying in a public shelter during a hurricane disaster. Conclusions: Disaster planners should be aware of the religious practices of the Islamic community, encourage disaster planning among diverse groups, and address safety and privacy concerns associated with using public shelters.
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Research Interests: Business, Ethics, Sustainable Development, Public Relations, Risk, and 14 moreRisk Management, Business and Management, United States, Information Exchange, Disaster, Insurance, Contingency Planning, Natural disaster, Natural hazard, HAZARD, Losses, Hazards, Hazard Mitigation, and Archaeology of Natural Places
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Research Interests: Psychology, Poverty, Natural Hazards, Social Exclusion, Health, and 14 morePublic Health, Social Class, Natural Disasters, Emergency Response, Atmospheric sciences, Building Construction, Inequality, United States, Natural disaster, Natural hazard, Socioeconomic Status, Policy Implementation, Social Equity, and Low Income
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The authors explored individual and family adjustment processes among parents ( n = 30) and children ( n = 55) who were displaced to Colorado after Hurricane Katrina. Drawing on in-depth interviews with 23 families, this article offers an... more
The authors explored individual and family adjustment processes among parents ( n = 30) and children ( n = 55) who were displaced to Colorado after Hurricane Katrina. Drawing on in-depth interviews with 23 families, this article offers an inductive model of displaced family adjustment. Four stages of family adjustment are presented in the model: (a) family unity stage, (b) prioritizing safety stage (parents) and missing home stage (children), (c) confronting reality stage (parents) and feeling settled stage (children), and (d) reaching resolution. This research illustrates that parental and child adjustment trajectories are dynamic and may vary over time, thus underscoring the importance of considering the perspectives of both adults and children in research and disaster policy interventions.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests: Cognitive Science, Disability Studies, Disaster Studies, Child Development, Disaster Management, and 15 moreDisability Studies in Education, Medicine, Disability, Natural Disasters, Children, Disasters, Humans, Child, Disaster, Children with disabilities, Caregivers, Disabled children, Children and Disaster, Emotional Response, and Disability and Disaster
This annotated resource list includes information on agencies and organizations around the world that help children prepare for, respond to, and recover from natural and human-made disasters; descriptions of educational materials and... more
This annotated resource list includes information on agencies and organizations around the world that help children prepare for, respond to, and recover from natural and human-made disasters; descriptions of educational materials and other resources aimed at informing children and youth about disasters; references to books written for children and youth about disasters; references to reports and books on children's experiences in disasters; and a summary of electronic mailing lists established to connect those concerned with child and ...