Social science research conducted since the late 1970's has contributed greatly to society's ability to mitigate and adapt to natural, technological, and willful disasters. However, as evidenced by Hurricane Katrina, the Indian Ocean tsunami, the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States, and other recent events, hazards and disaster research and its application could be improved greatly. In particular, more studies should be pursued that compare how the characteristics of different types of events—including predictability, forewarning, magnitude, and duration of impact—affect societal vulnerability and response. This book includes more than thirty recommendations for the hazards and disaster community.

Table of Contents


Front Matter
Summary
1 Introduction
2 Societal Changes Influencing the Context of Research
3 Social Science Research on Hazard Mitigation, Emergency Preparedness, and Recovery Preparedness
4 Research on Disaster Response and Recovery
5 Interdisciplinary Hazards and Disaster Research
6 International Research:Confronting the Challenges of Disaster Risk Reduction and Development
7 The Role of State-of-the-Art Technologies and Methods for Enhancing Studies of Hazards and Disasters
8 Knowledge Dissemination and Application
9 The Present and Future Hazards and Disaster Research Workforce
References
Appendix A Acronyms
Appendix B Recommendations
Appendix C Committee Biographies