Wildfires burning across the world, now in parts of France and Spain, are forcing hundreds of thousands of people to evacuate. University of Delaware experts are available to discuss wildfire evacuations, vulnerable communities, animal rescue and the health effects of wildfire smoke exposure.
Those experts, from UD’s Disaster Research Center, include:
Sarah DeYoung Professor of sociology and criminal justice: How people are forced to make split-second decisions involving horses, livestock and companion animals during fast-moving wildfires.
Why some owners must turn animals loose when evacuation time is limited.
Lessons from past disasters and animal rescue research.
Jennifer Trivedi Assistant professor of anthropology: The unique challenges faced by vulnerable populations during wildfires.
Complications surrounding evacuation decision-making and evacuation needs.
Long-term recovery following catastrophic disasters.
Jennifer Horney Chair of UD’s Department of Epidemiology: Health risks associated with wildfire smoke exposure, including respiratory infections.
How wildfire smoke and airborne pollutants affect population health.
The strain major wildfires can place on public health and health care systems.
To arrange an interview with these experts, visit their profile page and click on the "contact" button. Interested journalists can also send an email to MediaRelations@udel.edu.
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4 min
In 2025, the University of Delaware had many exceptional media mentions. Here are some of the most notable.
Science coverage dominated Where will the next big hurricane hit? Ask the sharks. (The Washington Post) – Aaron Carlisle, a marine ecologist, was featured for his revolutionary work using sharks to predict major weather events. Scientists could soon lose a key tool for studying Antarctica's melting ice sheets as climate risks grow (NBC News) – Carlos Moffat, an associate professor and oceanographer, spoke about the national budget and how it's impacting climate research. These Katrina Survivors Feel Overlooked. Now, They’re Using TikTok to Tell Their Stories (Rolling Stone) – Jennifer Trivedi, a disaster researcher, spoke about why Hurricane Katrina was such a major story. Malala Yousafzai, Migration and Sustainability (Forbes) – Saleem Ali, a professor of energy and environment, contributed regularly to Forbes on environmental topics. Scientists went hunting for freshwater deep beneath the Atlantic Ocean. What they found could have global implications (CNN) – Holly Michael, a professor of Earth sciences and civil and environmental engineering, spoke about the history of freshwater. Engineering Professor Answers Electric Car Questions (WIRED) – Willett Kempton, a professor of engineering, joined WIRED to answer the internet's most interesting questions about electric cars. Plastic shopping bag policies are actually working, a new study suggests (CNN) – Kimberly Oremus, associate professor of marine science and policy, was featured in several major outlets on the effectiveness of plastic bag bans. Insects are dying: here are 25 easy and effective ways you can help protect them (The Guardian) – Douglas Tallamy, an entomologist, was featured in dozens of outlets for his expertise. Political news coverage was front and center U.S. Chamber of Commerce sues Trump administration over $100,000 H-1B visa fees (NPR) – Daniel Kinderman, a political science professor, was interviewed for his expertise on a lawsuit involving changes in work visas. The government shutdown is over, but expect more fights and higher insurance prices to come (Delaware Public Media) – David Redlawsk, a political psychologist, discussed the recent government shutdown and what an end to it signals. Wrestling Over Charlie Kirk’s Legacy and the Divide in America (The New York Times) – Dannagal Young, a communications professor, commented on how media reacted to the death of Charlie Kirk. Consequences for colleges whose students carry mountains of debt? Republicans say yes (NPR) – Dominique Baker, associate professor of education, was quoted in multiple national outlets for her education expertise. General expertise came in clutch Why the U.S. struggles with passenger service despite having the most rail lines (NPR) – Allan Zarembski, a professor of railroad engineering, was featured in dozens of national publications for his expertise. From folklore to your front porch: The history of the jack-o'-lantern (NPR) – Cindy Ott, an associate professor of history, detailed the history of this autumn staple in multiple outlets. Nexstar Media Group buying Tegna in deal worth $6.2 billion (AP) – Danilo Yanich, professor of public policy, noted the ways the media giant duplicates work across networks. Warren Buffett hired Todd Combs to take over Berkshire's portfolio one day. Here's what close watchers say about his surprise exit. (Business Insider) – Lawrence Cunningham, director of UD's Weinberg Center, was featured throughout the year for his business and economic expertise. Enlighten Me: How to make your holidays truly happy (Delaware Public Media) – Amit Kumar, a professor of marketing, discussed strategies for finding happiness during the holidays throughout the winter season. Students and their stories shined throughout the year Networking: Is it what you know or who you know? (The Chronicle of Higher Education) – UD's career-development office, which assists students on their job journeys, was featured. U of Delaware Creates Yearlong Co-Ops for Business Students (Inside Higher Ed) – A new partnership with the state of Delaware connects business students to local employers, with the goal of reducing brain drain in the region was featured. Wilmington’s 'STEM Queen' earns national Obama–Chesky honor (The News Journal/Delaware Online) – Jacqueline Means, a management information systems major, was featured for earning a national recognition. Vita Nova Restaurant Gives Culinary Students Hands-on Training (Delaware Today) – The student-staffed restaurant, Vita Nova, was featured. Delaware professor transforms writing class by teaching students to use AI as the technology reshapes the workforce (WHYY) – Matt Kinservik, a professor of English, was featured for teaching students to use AI responsibly, exploring its capabilities and fact-checking tools. Pop culture experts weighed in 'Stranger Things' expert at UD chats about Netflix show's appeal (The News Journal/Delaware Online) – Siobhan Carroll, an associate English professor, sat down with a reporter to discuss the latest season and how the horror genre is often a mirror of our real world. “Horrendous And Insulting”: Backlash Erupts Over “Misrepresentation” In 2026 Wuthering Heights (Bored Panda) – Thomas Leitch, an English professor, said that “literal adaptations of classic novels are exceedingly rare, maybe impossible.” Major changes at UD highlighted University of Delaware appoints interim president to the permanent post (The Philadelphia Inquirer) – News of UD's new president, Laura A. Carlson, was covered throughout the region. Retiree learning center gets boost with $1M gift for downstate OLLI classes (Spotlight Delaware) – a large donation to the southern Delaware chapter of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, was featured. To speak with any of these experts in 2026 on these stories or others, please reach out to MediaRelations@udel.edu. Happy holidays and cheers for a bright and healthy new year!
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1 min
Hurricane Melissa, now a Category 5 storm, is projected to cause “catastrophic” flooding and inflict severe damage in Jamaica. The University of Delaware’s Disaster Research Center has several experts who can talk about preparations, evacuations, health impacts, decision making and recovery.
The following experts in the DRC – which has a few contacts in Jamaica – are available for comment.
Jennifer Horney: Health impacts of disasters as well as how cuts to aid and emergency assistance will factor into recovery after the storm.
Sarah DeYoung: Pets in emergencies, infant feeding in disasters and decision-making in evacuation.
Tricia Wachtendorf: Evacuation decision-making, disaster response and coordination, disaster relief (donations) and logistics, volunteer and emergent efforts, social vulnerability.
Jennifer Trivedi: Can talk about preparedness steps and recovery as well as challenges for people with disabilities during disaster, cultural issues and long-term recovery.
Shanjia Dong: Research looks at infrastructure systems, critical infrastructure protection, effective disaster preparedness and response, and equitable resilience planning and climate change adaptation.
A.R. Siders: Expert on sea level rise and managed retreat – the concept of planned community movement away from coastlines and flood-prone areas.
To contact these experts directly and arrange an interview, visit their profiles and click on the "contact" button. Interested reporters can also email MediaRelations@udel.edu.
Media
Social
Biography
Jennifer (Jenn) Trivedi received a Ph.D. and M.A. in anthropology from the University of Iowa and a B.A. in history from the University of Georgia. She was a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Disaster Research Center at the University of Delaware from 2016 to 2018, working on a large NSF-funded evacuation study, collaborating extensively with civil engineers and atmospheric scientists, and conducting quick-response research following flooding in Louisiana, Hurricane Matthew, and related inland flooding and the false ballistic missile alert in Hawaii.
Trivedi's work focuses on the historical and cultural contexts surrounding disaster vulnerability, response, recovery, resilience, and decision-making. She is engaged in multiple ongoing research projects, including studies of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on different groups in the United States; hurricane evacuation decision-making and timing as part of an interdisciplinary team; varied cultural aspects of disasters; and long-term recovery processes.
Trivedi is the author of Mississippi after Katrina: Disaster Recovery & Reconstruction on the Gulf Coast (Lexington Books, 2020), which examines the cultural-historical context in long-term recovery from Hurricane Katrina in Biloxi, Mississippi, building on her ethnographic fieldwork there in 2006 and 2010-2011.
Trivedi is a current member and social media manager (@RiskDisasterTIG) of the Risk and Disaster Topical Interest Group (R&D TIG) in the Society for Applied Anthropology (SFAA), as well as a former R&D TIG co-chair.
Areas of Expertise
Disaster Resilience
Disaster Response
Disaster Vulnerability
Disaster Recovery
Hurricanes
Flooding
Media Appearances
Texas Is Unprepared for Compound Climate Disasters
Public Health Watch online
2025-01-15
“When a compound disaster strikes, we don’t only have multiple ongoing disasters, but disasters that start to bounce back and forth on one another,” said Jennifer Trivedi, a core faculty member at the University of Delaware’s Disaster Research Center. “[They] impact the ways that people might adapt or recover, which further complicates the situation. This is particularly true for people who are already vulnerable.”
How Heat Combined with Hurricane Beryl to Cause Misery in Houston
Scientific American online
2024-07-20
Compound disasters such as hurricanes and heat waves are increasingly testing Texas and other states along the Gulf of Mexico, said Jennifer Trivedi, an expert on disaster vulnerability at the University of Delaware.
Those who went online usually found reassurance sooner. Some saw posts by Hawaii congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard that dispelled the missile myth. But others bemoaned the lack of physical cues around them. “A lot of people talked about listening for or noticing a lack of air raid sirens,” says Jennifer Trivedi, an assistant professor in the University of Delaware’s Disaster Research Center who conducted interviews on the ground after the false missile alert.
A Caribbean island's quest to become the world's first climate-resilient nation
BBC online
2023-04-19
This element of neighbourly communication is hugely important for early warning systems, says Jennifer Trivedi, assistant professor of anthropology at the University of Delaware's Disaster Research Center.
Covid Hazard Pay Has Ripple Effects in Today’s Overtime Cases
Bloomberg online
2022-07-26
Covid hazard pay started disappearing for many workers by the summer of 2020, months before they would get access to vaccines, said Jennifer Trivedi, a professor at the University of Delaware’s Disaster Research Center.
Hurricane Ida destroyed affordable rental units. Hundreds of families still can’t find new ones.
The Philadelphia Inquirer online
2021-12-09
“If you’re already in a precarious situation financially ... that narrow slice of availability can get erased,” said Jennifer Trivedi, a faculty member at the University of Delaware’s Disaster Research Center.
"With adaptation and resilience, we can get caught up in talking about things like managed retreat and home buyouts and things like that," said Jennifer Trivedi, assistant professor of anthropology at the University of Delaware. "But for a lot of people it comes down to a simple question, ‘What do I need to survive? Once I know that, I’m going to make the best choice for me and for my family.’"
Nearly a third of Americans worry about having their work hours cut or losing their jobs
Marketplace online
2020-09-01
“I’ve definitely had some of these same worries and uncertainties myself, and then thinking through what, what happens if I do lose my job? Where, where do we go from there?” said Jenn Trivedi, who teaches anthropology and studies disasters at the University of Delaware.
Hurricane Katrina hit Biloxi 15 years ago. Here’s what other coastal cities can learn from its recovery
Fast Company online
2020-08-29
The one-two punch of tropical storms Marco and Laura along the U.S. Gulf Coast eerily echoes Hurricane Katrina’s arrival 15 years ago, on August 29, 2005. Katrina, which caused some $170 billion in damages, remains the most costly storm in U.S. history.
Can visits to certain businesses help predict evacuation decisions in real time?
Natural Hazards
2025
This study aims to help understand and predict evacuation behavior by examining the relationship between evacuation decisions and visits to certain businesses using smartphone location and point of interest (POI) data collected across three hurricanes—Dorian (2019), Ida (2021), and Ian (2022)—for residents in voluntary and mandatory evacuation zones. Results from these data suggest residents visit POIs as part of preparatory activities before a hurricane impacts land. Statistical tests suggest that POI visits can be used as precursor signals for predicting evacuations in real time. Specifically, people are more likely to evacuate if they visit a gas station and are more likely to stay if they visit a grocery store, hardware store, pet store, or a pharmacy prior to landfall. Additionally, they are even less likely to leave if they visit multiple places of interest. These results provide a foundation for using smartphone location data in real time to improve predictions of behavior as a hurricane approaches.
Trust, Traffic, and Contemporary Evacuation Barriers in Hurricane Ida
Journal of Disaster Studies
2024
In hurricane evacuation decision-making research, it is critical to understand complex influences and larger processes at work in shaping the decisions and experiences of people and communities in affected areas and evacuation zones. Hurricane Ida made landfall in Louisiana in 2021, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, ongoing economic problems, and disruptions to trust in political officials. Gulf Coast residents made decisions about if and when to evacuate in this context. We use a framework that emphasizes the social causes of evacuation decision making, including optimism bias, compounding disasters, and situational factors. Results show that during Ida residents were navigating the relative risks, varied perceptions, and previous experiences with other disasters, compounding disasters, traffic, work and school demands, and long-term systemic problems.
Evacuating Pets and People: Time, Decisions, and Resources
Practicing Anthropology
2023
Increasingly, research focuses on challenges associated with people threatened by disasters but who refuse evacuation without their pets. Less attention is paid to decision making processes and costs of evacuating or sheltering-in-place with pets. Pet owners consider whether or not to evacuate, but—importantly—they also consider the financial costs of staying at pet-friendly shelters, securing necessary supplies for safe pet evacuation, and the impact of pet preparation on evacuation timing (temporal costs). Decision making is compounded by the risks they face, the preparations necessary, and their perceived impact on their animals. Those without pets in their household can be impacted by those with pets, as people often make evacuation decisions in groups.
Imagining an ethnographic otherwise during a pandemic
Human Organization
2022
By understanding pandemics and compounding disasters as disruptive sociopolitical processes rooted in histories and geographies of systemic inequality, we reflect on both novel and familiar manifestations of research practice, ethical decision making, and responsibility during the COVID-19 pandemic. We advocate for the importance of flexible, care-driven research methods that forefront local expertise and collaborations and relational ethics that are, oftentimes, at odds with neoliberal and institutional temporalities. Lastly, we reflect on how our own positionalities and experiences shape how we have navigated, reconceptualized, and challenged our own research practices in the context of a global pandemic.
Community resilience: toward a framework for an integrated, interdisciplinary model of disaster
Natural Hazards Review
2021
The science of resilience presents the opportunity to explain how natural, social, and physical systems interact to impact community functioning and well-being postdisaster. This paper describes the development and theoretical foundation of a comprehensive conceptual model, presenting a shift from the usual thinking about resilience to construe resilience more precisely as the trajectory of postdisaster recovery, with community functioning and well-being as the outcome of interest. Unique contributions of the results include the identification of the natural, social, and physical systems that are implicated in disasters, and the dynamic nature and directionality of how these elements relate in the context of hazards.
Hurricane evacuation beliefs and behaviour of inland vs. coastal populations
Environmental Hazards
2021
Although hurricanes can cause severe hazard effects well inland, little is known about the evacuation behaviour of inland populations compared to coastal populations. Using survey data collected in the United States after Hurricanes Florence (2018), Michael (2018), Barry (2019), and Dorian (2019), we investigate differences between coastal and inland populations in evacuation decisions and timing, and their causes. The data indicate that coastal populations evacuated at a higher rate than their inland counterparts (those not in coastal counties) in every hurricane studied. Chi-square tests identified differences in characteristics of coastal and inland populations, and a multiple logistic regression identified variables associated with evacuation.
The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted teaching over the past year, pushing many instructors and students into remote learning. These changes have forced new discussions about serious issues with the digital divide and an array of intersectional inequities, and they have prompted conversations about the physical and mental health of everyone involved. While initial transitions to remote learning were treated as distinct from previous in-person or online learning, increasingly we are seeing a push to “return to normal.” This essay argues that pandemic recoveries take many forms, and risk and uncertainty must continue to shape our teaching. We must continue to engage with critical issues related to inequity, intersectionality, and broad discussions of health if we are to ensure a safe return.
COVID-19 recoveries will not only be rooted in the pandemic itself but also questions of access, rights, and resources that long pre-dated the emergence of the virus or people’s responses to it. While such recoveries have not yet begun, signs are already emerging that indicate the risks of a “return to normal” that leaves many without equal, affordable, and often wanted and needed access to virtual or real-world spaces and resources. Examining and questioning these issues now, during short-term recovery efforts, and in the years and decades of long-term recovery to come are essential to working towards a more just system of COVID-19 recoveries.
