Doctoral Dissertation Research: Understanding Inequalities in Response to Disaster Recovery

本论文使用定性的方法来研究基于种族、阶级、性别和年龄的不平等在2011年发生在密苏里州乔普林和阿拉巴马州塔斯卡卢萨的龙卷风的长期恢复过程中是如何构成的。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，由于全球灾害正在增加，这项研究将为灾难从业者提供有关长期恢复以及不同社会群体恢复情况的信息。其次，由于乔普林和塔斯卡卢萨对龙卷风的反应方式不同，本文比较了不同的地方政府反应对长期恢复的影响。第三，根据我们的调查结果，调查人员将就未来减灾、预防和抗灾的政策方向提出建议。本学位论文是一项多地点的定性研究，运用了参与者观察、访谈和档案工作等方法。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、性别和种族主义的方式建造的，从而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哪些资源？2B)这种差异因地点而异，以及哪些因素导致了这种差异？这项研究的发现可以帮助政府和非营利性灾难组织以对不平等和文化和地理差异敏感的方式提供长期恢复援助和资源

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