Disasters as Destabilizers
Disaster Studies Lab
About the Disasters as Destabilizers Study
Disasters can cause injury, loss of life and severe damage to public and private property.
After some disasters, communities come together to respond and recover from the event. After others, communities can experience tensions and conflict. These experiences can shape people's support for the authorities that lead to response and recovery efforts.
In this project, the University at Albany’s Disaster Studies Lab investigates how response and recovery efforts unfolded following Hurricane Helene in September 2024, and how those efforts affected the communities impacted by the storm.
What We're Doing
Part 1: Interviews
As part of this project, members of our research team will visit affected areas in the Tri-Cities region. The team will also conduct interviews with responders and survivors in these areas.
You’re eligible to participate in an interview if you lived in the Tri-Cities area during Hurricane Helene and you are 18 or older.
Part 2: Social Media Analysis
In the second part of this project, the research team will analyze Reddit posts related to the response and recovery efforts related to Hurricane Helene within regionally relevant subreddits (such as r/tricities).
Research Team
Questions? Contact Dr. Samantha Penta, the lead researcher, at [email protected].
Dr. Samantha Penta
[email protected]
Dr. Penta is the Principal Investigator for this project. She is an Associate Professor in the Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security at the University at Albany. Her research focuses on health and medical care in crises, decision-making in preparedness and response, and humanitarian logistics. Learn more about Dr. Penta.
Dr. Alex Greer
[email protected]
Dr. Greer is an Associate Professor in the Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security at the University at Albany. Originally from East Tennessee, his research interests include hazard adjustments, relocation decision-making processes and organizational culture. Learn more about Dr. Greer.
Dr. Sam Jackson
[email protected]
Dr. Jackson is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security at the University at Albany. His research focuses on extremism, conspiracy theories and hate speech in the U.S. Learn more about Dr. Jackson.
Madalyn Essman
Madalyn is a master’s student in Emergency Management and Homeland Security at the University at Albany.
Aidan Covert
Aidan is an undergraduate student in Emergency Management and Homeland Security and in Criminal Justice at the University at Albany.
Allison Mittnight
Allison is a master’s student in Emergency Management and Homeland Security at the University at Albany.
Christopher J. O’Connor
Christopher is a doctoral student in Information Science at the University at Albany.
