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Supporting communities in disaster preparedness and recovery

by Milinda Polisetty, Laura Powers, and Tracy Mason
Image of Alireza Ermagun
Collectively, Alireza Ermagun’s interdisciplinary efforts seek to reduce climate change-induced mobility and access barriers for communities.

Alireza Ermagun, an assistant professor in the Department of Geography and Geoinformation Science, is leading multiple NSF-funded projects focused on reducing the vulnerability of communities to weather and climate disasters. Drawing on his expertise in the complex dynamics of mobility, access, and resilience, he is spearheading four notable initiatives.

One project, in collaboration with Tufts University, local law enforcement, and the American Red Cross, advances wildfire preparedness strategies and improves access to resources for all communities in Lake County, California. This initiative focuses on enhancing the resilience of communities with the knowledge and science-based tools needed to make informed decisions and reduce preventable impacts of wildfires.

Another project with scientists from Villanova University and the University of South Carolina, aims to reduce the vulnerability of communities to the social and environmental impacts of urban nuisance flooding in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This initiative will develop strategies to improve mobility and manage urban flooding, while establishing a science-based, community-centered platform to support public officials in adapting to increasing flood risks.

Ermagun, through the Accelerating Research Translation award with the Center for Climate Strategies, will assess climate change-related mobility vulnerabilities in Alexandria, Virginia, and develop adaptation strategies. This initiative focuses on engaging municipal and community stakeholders, translating research into actionable insights, and integrating training programs to build a climate-resilient workforce.

In collaboration with the Puerto Rico Science, Technology, and Research Trust, Ermagun’s fourth study will lay the groundwork to enhance the ability of geographers, geoscientists, social scientists, and community leaders to assess and address the evolving impacts and risks of cascading hazards (e.g., hurricanes, extreme rainfall, floods, landslides) on communities in Puerto Rico. The effort fosters partnerships, ensuring research meets community needs, while providing training and engagement opportunities for students. Collectively, Ermagun’s interdisciplinary efforts seek to enhance mobility while fostering inclusive adaptation strategies to address climate change impacts.

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