Claire Knox, Ph.D.
Associate Professor and Director, Master of Emergency and Crisis Management Program
School of Public Administration
Tuesday, September 14, 2021 at 12 p.m. – 1 p.m.
A Virtual Zoom Talk
Hurricanes, flooding, and a pandemic, Oh my! Impact of compounding disasters on coastal zone planning
Abstract: Most communities are prepared to manage one disaster or crisis, but what happens when they overlap and community resources run thin? 2020 presented communities with compounding disasters – including hurricanes, flooding, wildfires, civil unrest, and a global pandemic – which challenged community leaders, political institutions, logistics systems, and social networks. It highlighted a lack of adequate planning and brought to our attention social inequities to vulnerable populations. This talk will discuss lessons learned and how communities can rethink existing plans to increase its resilience.
Biography: Claire Connolly Knox, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the School of Public Administration at the University of Central Florida and holds a joint appointment with the National Center for Integrated Coastal Research. She is Director of the Master of Emergency and Crisis Management Program, which is ranked #2 in the nation. Dr. Knox is an expert in environmental vulnerability and disaster response, coastal resilience, critical theory, and cultural competency. Her co-edited book, Cultural Competency for Emergency and Crisis Management: Concepts, Theories and Case Studies, won 2021 Book of the Year Award from the American Society for Public Administration’s (ASPA) Section on Democracy and Social Justice. She has obtained $1.2 million in grants and serves as Associate Editor of Natural Hazards Review.