Researchers in the space of disaster science strive to address the repercussions of hazards. It is thus critical to prioritize research and researchers whose backgrounds align with the communities most vulnerable to these effects. However, underrepresented groups such as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), LGBTQIA2S+ individuals and women continue to encounter exclusion from critical research funding due to systemic disparities and obstacles. New research from the University of Washington delves into these experiences through 13 key informant interviews…
Center updates
Optimizing communication and mobilization methods following disasters
A new interdisciplinary $2 million National Science Foundation effort at the University of Washington is examining networks and communication under emergencies. Professor Cynthia Chen, interim chair of the UW’s Industrial & Systems Engineering (ISE), is leading the research team that includes UW professors Dan Abramson (Urban Design & Planning), Kurtis Heimerl (Computer Science & Engineering), Tyler McCormick (Sociology and Statistics) and Shuai Huang (ISE). Chen and the team will first gather insights into current local sharing and social ties that…
UW supports neighborhoods in the Duwamish Valley to build climate resilience
The Seattle neighborhoods of South Park and Georgetown, situated in the Duwamish Valley, have traditionally experienced environmental injustice and suffer from poor health outcomes, both of which are exacerbated by the effects of climate change. In Fall 2022, a team of researchers from the Duwamish Valley Youth Corps, the Duwamish River Community Coalition (DRCC), the City of Seattle and the University of Washington Department of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences surveyed households in these neighborhoods to gather individual perspectives on…
Building disaster resilience in Westport, Washington with UW support
The Seattle Times profiled the efforts of Westport, Washington to prepare for a megathrust quake and subsequent tsunami hit. These preparatory efforts, elements of which have been supported by the University of Washington, are being furthered by a $15.2 million grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to construct a vertical evacuation structure to help protect people in the low-lying area from a tsunami wave. Situated on the coast, a tsunami from a Cascadia earthquake could arrive within 15 minutes…
University of Washington is a key partner in a new NSF-funded seismic research facility
The University of Washington is a lead partner for the Cascadia Region Earthquake Science Center (CRESCENT), a $15 million, multi-institution earthquake research facility based at the University of Oregon. CRESCENT draws researchers from 16 U.S. institutions and is dedicated to studying the Cascadia subduction zone, strengthening earthquake preparedness and fostering community partnerships. Harold Tobin, a professor of Earth and space sciences at the UW and director of the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network, leads the UW portion of the effort. “The…
UW earthquake experts discuss how research is helping prepare for “The Big One”
The Cascadia subduction zone, which runs off the coast of the Pacific Northwest, holds the possibility of unleashing a magnitude 9.0 earthquake. Dubbed as “The Big One,” this earthquake is predicted to occur off-shore as one tectonic plate slides under another, releasing a wave of energy accompanied by intense shaking for several minutes. Despite its oceanic epicenter, The Big One will have widespread inland effects with the potential of being accompanied by a devastating tsunami. Currently, University of Washington researchers…
CDRC named a Joint Disaster Medicine and Public Health Ecosystem partner
The Uniformed Services University’s National Center for Disaster Medicine and Public Health (NCDMPH) has named the University of Washington’s Center for Disaster Resilient Communities as a partner in a newly established Joint Disaster Medicine and Public Health Ecosystem. This Ecosystem, which is intended to enhance the nation’s disaster response capabilities, will collaborate with medical and public health partners across the country to facilitate quick mobilization of resources during emergencies. “We’re delighted to have been selected as an inaugural partner for…
Practitioners drive planning for a future public health preparedness and response center
The University of Washington’s Center for Disaster Resilient Communities, in collaboration with a number of partners, is developing a regional public health emergency preparedness and response center for HHS Region 10, which includes Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington and 272 Tribal Nations. Unlike traditional university-based research, this project is practitioner-led, with input from professionals in public health, emergency management, education, healthcare and tribal organizations. Through iterative discussions and meetings, key priorities have been identified, including improving communication, enhancing workforce capacity and…
May 21 event to explore connections between hazards, behavior and health
The University of Washington Center for Disaster Resilient Communities and Population Health Initiative are hosting a third and final lunch-and-learn event of the academic year with Dr. Joe Wartman on Tuesday, May 21, 2024 from 12 – 1 p.m. Pacific in the UW’s Hans Rosling Center for Population Health, room 101, and via Zoom. Lunch will be provided for in-person attendees. Dr. Wartman is a Professor of Civil & Environmental Engineering and Director of the UW’s Natural Hazards Reconnaissance (RAPID)…
Examining public housing authorities’ roles, responsibilities in state-level disaster planning
Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) – through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development – are responsible for the oversight of federally assisted housing. However, climate change has contributed to increasing natural disaster events, often severely impacting renters receiving federal housing. This, combined with the ongoing housing crisis and consistent underfunding, has left PHAs struggling to keep up with numerous demands, especially in the realm of disaster planning. New research from the University of Washington explores and documents the roles…