Featured Post from University of Delaware

Analysis of evacuations and preparedness as deadly wildfires continue to rage in Hawaii

Aug 10, 2023

1 min

The University of Delaware's Disaster Research Center boasts several experts who can provide insight into preparedness, evacuation efforts and recovery in regards to the deadly wildfires that are ravaging Hawaii.

Tricia Wachtendorf: Evacuation decision-making, disaster response and coordination, disaster relief (donations) and logistics, volunteer and emergent efforts, social vulnerability.

James Kendra: Disaster response, nursing homes and hospitals, volunteers, response coordination.

Sarah DeYoung: Pets in emergencies, infant feeding in disasters and decision-making in evacuation. Specifically related to Hawaii: "Hawaii is really unique with animals because they have more progressive policies than many mainland states but of course, limited space."

Jennifer Trivedi: Challenges for people with disabilities during disaster, cultural issues and long-term recovery.

If you'd like to set up an interview with any of these experts, simply click on their profile.

Connect with:

Tricia Wachtendorf

Director / Professor, Disaster Research Center / Department of Sociology & Criminal Justice

Prof. Wachtendorf expertise lies in the social, organizational, and decision-making aspects of disasters.

evacuationsMulti-organizational coordination and responses in disastersTransnational crisesImprovisation and adaptationCommunity-based approaches to preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation

James Kendra

Director, Disaster Research Center; Professor, Biden School of Public Policy and Administration

Prof. Kendra researches emergency planning and crisis management.

Organizational Improvisation and ResilienceEmergency Management TechnologyDisaster PlanningCrisis ManagementEmergency Planning

Jennifer Trivedi

Assistant Professor, Anthropology; Core Faculty Member, Disaster Research Center

Prof. Trivedi's research explores disaster vulnerability, response, recovery, resilience and decision-making.

Disaster Resilience‎Disaster ResponseDisaster VulnerabilityDisaster RecoveryHurricanes

Sarah DeYoung

Associate Professor, Sociology & Criminal Justice

Prof. DeYoung's expertise is in maternal and child health in crisis and disaster settings, with a focus on infant feeding in emergencies.

Evacuation Decision-makingCompanion Animals in DisastersMaternal & Infant Health in DisastersRefugee & Immigrant Well-beingPsychological Sense of Community

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Sep 3, 2026

1 min

Why Dolly Parton’s intersectional philanthropy keeps making headlines

Dolly Parton’s generosity keeps showing up in the news because it feels both big and deeply personal. Her charitable work, especially around literacy, education and community support, connects to real-life needs that people understand right away, all while being a big part of her own intersectional identity. That makes her philanthropy easy to notice and even easier to care about. Jennifer Naccarelli is chair of the Department of Women & Gender Studies here at the University of Delaware and the founding director of the Center for Study & Prevention of Gender Based Violence. On Dolly Parton's passing she said: "In practice, Dolly Parton's life is a case study in intersectionality: the various social identities that she encompassed and her interactions with various social structures led to her unique perspectives, lifelong commitments and magnificent catalog. While not an political activist, and hesitant to call herself a feminist, her work and religious identity informed her contributions to so many communities. She was an ally before that term entered the vernacular. It is truly a loss of a model human and great talent." To speak with Naccarelli about Parton and other feminist icons, email mediarelations@udel.edu.

Aug 27, 2026

2 min

Disaster Response Expert: How Flood Evacuations Impact Vulnerable Families, Infants and Companion Animals

When disasters strike, evacuation decisions can be complicated by factors that emergency planners may not always anticipate — including the needs of pets, infants and other vulnerable members of a household. University of Delaware disaster researcher Sarah DeYoung studies how people make decisions during disasters and how emergency planning can better account for the needs of families and their companion animals. Her expertise includes evacuation decision-making, companion animals in disasters, infant feeding in emergencies and maternal and child well-being during disasters. DeYoung's research is particularly relevant as communities around the world respond to natural disasters, including the devastating flooding currently affecting Nepal. DeYoung has conducted field research following 13 disasters, including the 2015 Gorkha earthquake in Nepal, where she studied maternal and infant health and feeding in the aftermath of the disaster. She says that pets can significantly influence evacuation decisions. People may delay or avoid evacuation if they cannot bring their animals with them, while others may return to dangerous areas to retrieve pets. Her work examines how emergency managers can better incorporate animals into evacuation and sheltering plans. She also studies the particular challenges facing mothers and infants during disasters, including access to food, infant feeding, shelter and other basic necessities. Topics she can discuss include: • How pets influence evacuation decisions • Challenges of evacuating and sheltering with companion animals • How emergency planners can better account for pets and families • Emergency warnings and evacuation decision making • The needs of mothers and infants during disasters • Infant feeding and access to basic necessities during disaster recovery • How disasters affect vulnerable populations and family well-being To reach DeYoung directly and arrange an interview, visit her profile and click on the "contact" button. Interested reporters can also send an email to MediaRelations@udel.edu.

Aug 26, 2026

1 min

How Trade Wars Are Reshaping Fashion and Apparel

Trade disputes and tariffs have become an increasingly common part of the global economic landscape, with the fashion and apparel industry often caught in the crossfire. University of Delaware professor Sheng Lu can explain how these disruptions reshape sourcing decisions, supply chains, prices and the products ultimately available to consumers. Lu can discuss: • How new tariffs, including those on Canadian jackets and wool products, could affect consumers, fashion companies and apparel supply chains. • How tariffs can affect apparel prices and product availability for U.S. consumers. • Why fashion and apparel supply chains are particularly vulnerable to trade policy changes. • The impact of trade disputes on fashion companies and retailers in the U.S. and abroad. • What previous trade disputes can tell us about the potential consequences of tariffs. To arrange an interview, visit Lu's profile and click on the “contact” button. Interested reporters can also email MediaRelations@udel.edu.