Yajaira Ayala holds a PhD in disaster science and management from the University of Delaware (UD). In her dissertation, titled Reframing Reality: Poor Black Women’s Experiences with Vulnerability and Resilience During the Recovery Process, Ayala explores the challenges as well as the strategies poor black women employed in the aftermath of Hurricanes Laura and Delta. Ayala’s work ultimately challenges and expands on theoretical notions of resiliency, vulnerability, and recovery.
During her time at UD, Ayala worked on different projects looking at disaster recovery, pro-social behaviors during emergencies, and exploring the role of social capital in increasing people’s resiliency. As a William Averette Anderson Fund (BAF) fellow, Ayala was elected as vice-chair of the Student Council, chaired the Intake Committee, and collaborated with other fellows in the Special Projects working group. During this time, Ayala along with other BAF fellows, alumni, and mentors co-launched a call for papers in the Disaster Prevention and Management journal titled Using Critical Perspectives to Explore Disasters through Shifting Climates. This special issue documents theoretical approaches and standpoint epistemologies to interpret and address shifting physical, social, and political climates for minoritized and marginalized communities.
Most recently, Ayala formed part of the American Evaluation Association’s Graduate Education Diversity Internship (GEDI). As a GEDI intern, Ayala worked alongside a team of advisors, mentors, and graduate students to extend her research capabilities into culturally responsive and equitable program evaluation. Now as a PhD in disaster science and management, Ayala aims to continue using equitable approaches to disaster science and practice.