FLOOD READINESS TOOLKITS
Working with the Town of Chapel Hill and the Greater Chapel Hill–Carrboro Chamber of Commerce, SECR is conducting ongoing research and outreach following the impacts of Tropical Storm Chantal to better understand community recovery and strengthen local flood and other natural disaster preparedness. Research findings will translate into practical, community-centered toolkits that support homeowners, renters, businesses, and schools in preparing for and responding to future flooding events.
Current findings are preliminary, and the first Flood Readiness Toolkits—designed to provide accessible risk information, preparedness guidance, and connections to local resources—are expected to be released soon.
On Project:
Graduates: Eve, Peyton, Kristen, Rosemary
Undergraduates: Janelle, Amina, Mary, Ryan, Joshua
Carolinas Climate Adaptation Partnership (CAP), NOAA
Learn More here (https://carolinascap.com/)
COASTAL RESILIENCE OF OCRACOKE, NORTH CAROLINA
Our research in economic anthropology focuses on the dynamic local economy of Ocracoke, a non-incorporated town that contributes approximately 80% of the tax base for Hyde County. Every two years, we conduct a comprehensive survey of the local economic community, which includes visually mapping every business and conducting a human survey during the fall, outside of the tourist season. This allows us to track changes over time in terms of what businesses are present, their primary focus (tourist-facing or serving the local community), and shifts in ownership. Our research also examines the long-term impacts of compounding disasters on the local economy, livelihoods, and strategies for future risk mitigation and adaptation. With around 1,000 local residents, Ocracoke offers a unique opportunity to study the complex interdependencies that shape human-environmental life and inform what is possible for the future.
On Project: Graduates: Bevin; Undergraduates: Eve
Farming, Economics, Water, and Environment in San Cristóbal, Galápagos
Our objective is to understand how environmental challenges impact residents and to support the ongoing efforts of individuals and organizations working for public health and the environment in San Cristóbal, Galápagos. This study aims to explore two key areas: (a) residents’ perceptions of environmental challenges, including agricultural issues and the quality of bays and the ocean, and (b) the successes and challenges faced by local collaboration efforts among community organizations. By gathering this information, we hope to provide targeted support and resources that address the issues most important to residents and local groups.
We conducted two rapid assessment surveys from July 10th to 31st (2024). In San Cristóbal, farmers seek effective strategies for selling and marketing their produce. This pilot research offers numerous opportunities for further investigation, including studies on:
- agricultural challenges such as fungal (and other) diseases and pests
- management practices
- the significant coffee industry
- the politics of outsourced food dominating local markets, and policies related to quarantine and the use of citronella.
These preliminary findings will be used to apply for grants to support additional research in the summer of 2025.
On Project: Graduates: Kristen, Peyton; Undergraduates: Sitao, Eve, Audrey, Tara, and Mary
Suburban Community Flooding IN CHAPEL HILL, NC
The SECR lab is starting a long-term project this summer looking at water quality and flooding in local waterways. This research is working to understand how communities are impacted by waterways and how they are interacting with these waterways. Additionally, the project will include environmental data, such as water quality data, macroinvertebrate surveys, and soil composition data. Recent construction projects in Chapel Hill are working to mitigate the impacts of flooding and polluted waterways, which will also be monitored throughout the duration of this project. We will continue to monitor the human-environment interactions and build on this project. This project includes water testing, roughly every 2 weeks during academic season.
On Project: Graduates: Bevin, Kristen, Terese, Peyton; Undergraduates: Eve, Audrey, Tara, and Mary
HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOMS & NORTHEASTERN NORTH CAROLINA
Understanding Perceptions and Informing Algal Bloom Education and Outreach in the Albemarle-Pamlico Sound Region
We are working with Carolinas Collaborative on Climate, Health, and Equity (C3HE) and Albemarle Regional Health Services (ARHS) to understand how residents are impacted by algal blooms and how to support community public health efforts. Negative health outcomes from harmful algal blooms (HABs) are an ongoing issue in the Albemarle-Pamlico Sound. ARHS is interested in better communication and education to promote awareness, reporting, and adoption of safety precautions. From surveys and focus groups, we document residents’ and visitors’ thoughts on algal blooms and local collaboration efforts to inform educational materials on HABs and may help obtain funding for on-site lab testing for faster reporting of HAB events.
On Project: Graduates: Kristen, Peyton, Bevin; Undergraduates: Sitao, Eve, Audrey, Tara, and Mary
Community-Based Participatory Research Meta-Analysis
This study is to analyze how community-based participatory research (CBPR) is defined and carried out. Through a meta-analysis of 250 articles over the passed five years, we examine how CBPR is framed, the methodologies used, partnerships formed, and the outcomes.
On Project: Graduates: Bevin, Kristen
Caela O'Connell 