REU Site: Hazards, Disasters, and Society: Training the Future Generations of Social Science Researchers

University Of Delaware, Newark DE

Investigators

Abstract

This project is a research experiences for undergraduates (REU) site in Sociology at the University of Delaware's Disaster Research Center. The site offers 10 undergraduate students nine weeks of hands-on training in the social science aspects of disasters. Intellectual Merit- Students work with faculty experts to generate hypotheses and test them using existing data sets. Research projects will focus on issues such as: disaster mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery; warnings and technology; and disaster vulnerability and resilience. Broader Impact- Professional development workshops held concurrently with the research activities provide students with training in computer skills, GRE preparation, applying to graduate school, and grant writing. Students are also exposed to significant coursework in research methodology, social science approaches to disasters, and the ethical implications of the research process. Provisions for students to continue their research with mentors from their home institutions are a major component of site activities. This site is co-funded by the Department of Defense in partnership with the NSF REU program.