Invited Session: Are We Speaking the Same Language? Breaking Down Silos in Disaster Research and Mitigation

Thur. 10:15 to 11:45 a.m., Interlocken C
Concurrent Session 3-1

Utilizing lessons learned from the field, this presenters for this session will deconstruct how language hinders effective interdisciplinary communication and community outreach. Guiding questions for this session are: How does the language we use impact our relationships with communities, other researchers, and practitioners? Do we need a disaster taxonomy? Is the divide between academic and practitioner real or constructed? Are climate change researchers marginalized in the hazards and disaster research and management fields? These tough questions will be addressed and discussed through interactive dialogue during this moderated session.

Organizer and Moderator: Heather Kirkland, American University

Risk Perceptions and Adaptive Behaviors of Low-to-Moderate Income Residents in Portsmouth, Virginia

Dontá Council, Old Dominion University

Whole Community Planning: District of Columbia Watts Branch

Nickea Bradley, D.C. Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency

Breaking Down Silos Across Specializations to Enhance Organizational Resilience

Marcelo Ferreira, Denver Water

Reflections on Interdisciplinary Investigations and the Social Context of Disaster Social Science

Keely Maxwell, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency