The Disaster Research Center

Congratulation to former DRC visiting scholar Giuseppe Lelow on completing his dissertation “𝐸𝑚𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦 𝐶𝑜𝑚𝑚𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐶𝑟𝑜𝑤𝑑𝑠𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑑 𝐼𝑛𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛: 𝐹𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝐷𝑖𝑔𝑖𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑁𝑜𝑖𝑠𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝐴𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝐼𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑖𝑔𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒."

It is with great sadness that we share the passing of disaster sociologist and DRC alumnus Professor Emeritus Henry (Hank) Fischer. Many students of disaster were first introduced to the field through his book "Response to disaster: Fact versus fiction and its perpetuation: The sociology of disaster." His accomplishments are many, including serving as editor of UnScheduled Events and the International Journal of Contemporary Disaster Review, conducting research on such events as the Indian Ocean Tsunami and Hurricane Katrina, and consulting with federal agencies as they work to improve their emergency operations. In addition to these and many other accomplishments, he was the founding director of Millersville University's Center for Disaster Research & Education (CDRE). During his time there, he sparked the interest and passion of many students, some of whom pursued graduate work - following his footsteps - at the Disaster Research Center and have made their own marks on the field. He will be missed and fondly remembered.

Wonderful to connect with the DRC family, share research and lean from others, and honor 50 years of the Natural Hazards Workshop bringing the community together.

DRC / disaster science and management PhD student Julie Elliott shares her experience deploying on quick response research after the Texas flooding.

Texas flood aftermath | UDaily UD graduate student brings back difficult lessons from Texas flood disaster

This spring, nearly 50 members - including many DRC faculty, staff, and students - of the CHEER Hub and its partner organizations gathered at East Carolina University in Greenville, NC for the Hub’s third annual in-person meeting. https://www.drc.udel.edu/2025-annual-cheer-meeting/

Publication Highlight: "Can visits to certain businesses help predict evacuation decisions in real time?" Natural Hazards 121: 7533-7550. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11069-024-07093-z

The CHEER Hub welcomes several amazing summer scholars this year. Click to learn more about them and the amazing work they have lined up! https://www.drc.udel.edu/2025-summer-scholars-introduction/

Congratulations Dr. Posch!

Congratulations to these Doctoral Fellowship for Excellence awardees!

Publication Highlight: "Trust, Traffic, and Contemporary Evacuation Barriers in Hurricane Ida." Journal of Disaster Studies 1(2): 189-219. https://muse.jhu.edu/pub/56/article/950740