2019 Newsletter_FINAL.pub

SOCIOLOGY NEWSLETTER | Issue #4 5 C enter for the S tudy of D isasters and E xtreme E vents Disasters and extreme events pose complex problems for Oklahoma, the nation, and world that are best addressed by combining multiple disciplines and professions. The mission of the Center for the Study of Disasters and Extreme Events (CSDEE) is to provide a support system whereby disaster research capabilities at Oklahoma State Uni- versity can be coordinated, matched with funding sources, and devel- oped to produce information relevant to the citizens of Oklahoma. The Center seeks to facilitate effective collaborative research, particu- larly that which enhances community resilience and well-being. Led by Regents Professor, Dr. Duane Gill , this year has been an active one for the CSDEE. Collaborators on five different research grant proposals have included faculty and students from the Depart- ment of Sociology, Political Science, and the Departments of Me- chanical and Aerospace Engineering; Materials Science and Engi- neering; Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering; Horticulture and Landscape Architecture; and Plant and Soil Sciences. For example, Drs. Gill and Liesel Ritchie, Associ- ate Director of the CSDEE, worked with researchers across OSU’s campus to develop a National Science Founda- tion proposal entitled Food, Energy, and Water for the Future: Innovative Technology and its Influence on Agriculture and Perceptions of Produced Water Reuse . The Center is also involved in two out of four of OSU’s “HIBAR” initiatives, designed to promote Highly Integrated Basic and Applied Research with on- campus researchers, as well as with external researchers and business and indus- tries from around the state, the region, and the country. Through the efforts of Drs. Gill and Ritchie, the Center has been active in public engagement. Dr. Ritchie is a member of the Disaster Resilience Network (DRN), a non-profit organization based in Tulsa with a goal of enhancing disaster resilience throughout the state. Dr. Gill is a member of the Disas- ter Resilient Business Council, a part of the DRN dedicated to helping small businesses throughout the state prepare for hazards and disasters. Recent flooding and severe weather in Stillwater, Oklahoma underscores the need for research on disasters and extreme events, especially projects that can help communities effectively prepare and respond.