My research engages with communities and social partners in setting relevant research questions and in developing data driven responses to natural hazards to foster disaster resilient communities. Depending on the project, this may mean visiting communities to talk to the general public, eliciting information from those that are seen as key community representatives, or working directly with government stakeholders.
Research Description
The focus of my research is understanding how people perceive risks and make risk management decisions associated with natural hazards. In my recent work, this is applied to the maritime transportation system, risk management in multi-hazard environments, and emergency evacuation behaviour. My research incorporates risk perceptions into natural hazard risk management with the aim of fostering disaster resilient communities.
What does being a Public Scholar mean to you?
Too often the views of the public are not included in policy decision making. Individuals may be consulted but there is less follow through on appropriately using this information when making decisions. Being a public scholar to me means facilitating the involvement of the public in all stages of policy decision making and continuing to push the limits on what is known and the actions that we are taking to further disaster resilience in our communities.
In what ways do you think the PhD experience can be re-imagined with the Public Scholars Initiative?
Doctoral education has traditionally been theoretically focused, with less emphasis on how research can be translated into public policy for the public good. With public scholars, this will hopefully change. I see the PhD experience being re-imagined crediting a wide range of scholarship that has direct benefits for informing policy and helping communities.
How do you envision connecting your PhD work with broader career possibilities?
My passion is in understanding how people and communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from natural hazards. This is reflected in my research interests and future career endeavours. Being a Public Scholar means that I am able to work with communities and policy makers to understand and reduce the risks of natural hazards, both now as a PhD Candidate and into the future.
How does your research engage with the larger community and social partners?
My research engages with communities and social partners in setting relevant research questions and in developing data driven responses to natural hazards to foster disaster resilient communities. Depending on the project, this may mean visiting communities to talk to the general public, eliciting information from those that are seen as key community representatives, or working directly with government stakeholders.
Why did you decide to pursue a graduate degree?
I have been interested in understanding and responding to natural disasters for many years. My undergraduate thesis focused on emergency preparedness (or lack of preparation!) of university students and my master’s thesis focused on flood risk perceptions and flood risk management preferences. During my MSc more questions were being asked than I could possibly answer in one thesis, leading to undertaking a doctorate.
Why did you choose to come to British Columbia and study at UBC?
I explored many options with respect to doctoral studies and ultimately decided on UBC because of the close alignment of my interests and the Institute of Resources, Environment and Sustainability, and more specifically the research focus of my supervisor.
Being a public scholar to me means facilitating the involvement of the public in all stages of policy decision making and continuing to push the limits on what is known and the actions that we are taking to further disaster resilience in our communities.
