IBS Associations
Environment and Society Program
Research Affiliate, Natural Hazards Center
Research Interests
social dimensions of hazards and disasters, including natural, technological, and human-induced extreme events
Brief Biography
Kathleen Tierney (Ph.D. Ohio State University, 1979) is Professor of Sociology and former Director of the Natural Hazards Center (from 2003 until 2016), part of the Environment and Society Program in the Institute of Behavioral Science. She conducts research on hazards, disasters, and risk, with an emphasis on the political economy of disasters. Her qualitative research expertise includes quick-response field research following disasters; in-depth interviewing; qualitative evaluation research; and focus group methods. Professor Tierney teaches courses on qualitative data collection and analysis.
