NSF Hazard Enabling Program    

Duration: 2014-2016 

Funding Agency: National Science Foundation (NSF) 

Funding Amount: $349,725 

PI: Deborah Thomas (U Colorado) 

CO-PI: Brian Gerber (UC Denver), Sam Brody (TAMUG)

Abstract:

As a relatively small subset of many different disciplines, the interdisciplinary hazards/disasters/risk field relies on a continuous influx of young scholars simultaneously committed to their own disciplines and to the theoretical and applied aspects of hazards, disasters, and risk. The program fosters research that is crucial to advancing knowledge in the hazards/disasters/risk field, as well as ensuring that the next generation of interdisciplinary scholars has a foundation for development.

Objectives:

• Identifying and recruiting a diverse cohort of well-trained, early career academic researchers who either have already begun, or have an intention to undertake, cutting edge research about the socio-technical aspects of the interrelated areas of hazards/disasters/risk. 
• Identifying and recruiting a diverse cohort of leading academic researchers in the hazards/disasters/risk field to serve as committed mentors to the cohort of the Fellow students. 
• Developing a highly focused and effective mentoring and training program for the Fellows in order to enhance their knowledge and expertise in support of their current and future research efforts. 
• Providing guidance to the Fellows, through the planned workshops, mentoring system and additional learning opportunities on developing research proposals for funding by federal, state, and private entities. 
• Providing the Fellow cohorts continued engagement opportunities through ongoing research presentations and other hands-on learning opportunities during the program period to increase their continued interest and commitment to hazards/disasters/risk field. 
• Supporting the Fellows in framing, writing, and publishing research papers in highly regarded disciplinary and interdisciplinary journals with their mentors assistance. 
• Providing guidance to the Fellows in learning how they can make key contributions to both the broader hazards/disasters/risk field, as well as retaining a key identity in their respective disciplines; a point of considerable concern for junior faculty in the promotion and tenure process. 
• Assisting in the development of a Fellow’s key research project idea such that a Fellow will be able to submit a complete funding project to the NSF, other similar agencies, and/or have their complete research project published as a research article.