Special Session: Social Media and Disasters: A Changing Landscape

The use of social media during disasters began in a small way about a decade ago and has spread exponentially since then. Complex networks of social media communication have replaced what was once a largely government-to-public crisis communication system. As the public has turned to social media for information during disasters, emergency management agencies are increasingly doing the same. Using examples from recent crisis events, this panel will discuss different patterns of social media use in disasters and explore their implications.

Moderator:

Nolan Phillips, University of California, Irvine

Panelists:

Kristin Hogan, San Francisco Department of Emergency Management

Suzanne Frew, The Frew Group

Elena Sava, Pennsylvania State University

Jeannette Sutton, State University of New York at Albany