Understanding Data Needs for Post-Spill Research

Introducing the Next Generation Oil Spill Researchers Initiative
Researchers collecting environmental samples at an industrial site. Source: Shutterstock.

Date: Thursday, February 11, 2027
Time: 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. CT / 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. ET

Register for Session 5

Webinar Description

This session will examine the critical data needs that emerge following oil spills and the challenges of collecting timely, high-quality information to support research, response, and recovery efforts. Speakers will discuss key considerations for documenting environmental exposures, health impacts, and community conditions in the aftermath of a spill, with particular attention to the collection of perishable and time-sensitive data. The discussion will also explore the unique logistical, methodological, and operational issues associated with oil spill data collection, including data access, coordination across sectors, and the evolving nature of spill events. Together, the speakers will highlight the importance of preparedness, strategic data collection, and interdisciplinary collaboration in advancing oil spill research and informing future response efforts. The session will conclude with an extended Q&A and discussion.

This webinar will be recorded and posted on the Natural Hazards Center website after the event. You can learn more about the Next Generation Oil Spill Researchers community of practice here. Please remember to sign up for future webinars and free resources here.

Learning Outcomes

  • Identify key data needs that emerge following an oil spill.
  • Describe strategies for collecting time-sensitive environmental, economic, and health data in the aftermath of an oil spill.
  • Recognize common logistical, methodological, and operational challenges associated with oil spill data collection.
  • Compare different types of data used in post-spill research and assess their strengths and limitations.

Prepare Ahead

Additional Suggested Readings and Resources

The Next Generation Oil Spill Researchers Community of Practice is funded by the Gulf Research Program at the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (Award #SCON-10001452). Opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations produced through this initiative are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Gulf Research Program or Natural Hazards Center.