Doctoral Dissertation Research: Understanding Inequalities in Response to Disaster Recovery

本论文采用定性研究方法，探讨如何基于种族，阶级，性别和年龄的不平等构成的长期恢复发生在乔普林，密苏里州和塔斯卡卢萨，亚拉巴马在2011年龙卷风。这项研究对减灾、使城市在灾后更具弹性以及制定更好的社会政策具有重要意义。首先，由于灾害在全球范围内不断增加，这项研究将为灾害从业人员提供有关长期恢复以及恢复如何因社会群体而异的信息。其次，由于乔普林和塔斯卡卢萨以不同的方式应对龙卷风，本文比较了不同的地方政府的反应如何影响长期恢复。第三，根据我们的调查结果，调查人员将建议未来的减灾、防灾和抗灾政策方向。论文项目是一个多站点的定性研究，利用参与观察，访谈和档案工作。研究人员提出了以下研究问题：1）乔普林和塔斯卡卢萨内部的空间是如何以分类，性别和种族化的方式构建的，在长期恢复过程中创造了特殊的特权和脆弱性？2a）龙卷风过后，乔普林和塔斯卡卢萨的人们可以获得什么资源？2b）这是如何因地点而异的，哪些因素导致了这种变化？这项研究的结果可以帮助政府和非营利灾难组织以敏感的方式提供长期恢复中的援助和资源，以应对不平等以及文化和地理差异

This dissertation uses qualitative methods to investigate how inequalities based on race, class, gender and age are constituted in long-term recovery from tornadoes that occurred in Joplin, Missouri and Tuscaloosa, Alabama in 2011. This research has implications for disaster mitigation, making cities more resilient after disaster, and the creation of better social policies. First, since disasters are increasing globally this research will provide disaster practitioners with information about long-term recovery and how recovery varies by social groups. Second, because Joplin and Tuscaloosa responded to their tornadoes in different ways, this dissertation compares how varying local governmental responses influences long-term recovery. Third, based on our findings, the investigators will recommend future policy directions for disaster mitigation, prevention and resilience. The dissertation project is a multi-sited qualitative study utilizing participant observation, interviews and archival work. The investigators ask the following research questions: 1) How have spaces inside Joplin and Tuscaloosa been constructed in classed, gendered, and racialized ways, creating particular privileges and vulnerabilities in processes of long-term recovery? 2a) What resources were available to people in Joplin and Tuscaloosa after the tornadoes? 2b) How does this vary by location and what factors contribute to this variation? Findings from this research can assist governmental and non-profit disaster organizations providing aid and resources in long-term recovery in ways that are sensitive to inequalities and cultural and geographic difference