Handbook of Disaster Research

This timely Handbook is based on the principle that disasters are social constructions and focuses on social science disaster research. It provides an interdisciplinary approach to disasters with theoretical, methodological, and practical applications. Attention is given to conceptual issues dealing with the concept "disaster" and to methodological issues relating to research on disasters. These include Geographic Information Systems as a useful research tool and its implications for future research. This seminal work is the first interdisciplinary collection of disaster research as it stands now while outlining how the field will continue to grow.

From the reviews:

"The Handbook of Disaster Research will, without a doubt, be the most important publication of its type during this decade. Just about everyone who is anyone in the disaster research community has shared their knowledge on the important topics of the day. The authors and the publisher are to be congratulated for completing the book that will be widely sought after by practitioners, researchers and students of disaster planning and response. Thank you for this outstanding contribution to the field."

Henry W. Fischer III, Director, Center for Disaster Research & Education, Millersville University

"The Handbook of Disaster Research will generate considerable excitement amongst international disaster research and management professionals. Finally, a volume that takes on the task of articulating and unpacking the many social complexities of modern disasters and catastrophes. By taking a multi-disciplinary perspective, the Handbook addresses the very pressing need to better understand the social dimensions of disaster. ... offers a very balanced set of analyses that will undoubtedly appeal to not only the researcher, but the practitioner and the policy-maker alike."

Dr. Derek Bopping, Defence Science and Technology Organisation, Department of Defence, Australia

"This is an amazing handbook. .... A "must have" for anyone who wants to know the cutting edges of disaster research. The Handbook of Disaster Research is unlike any other handbook I’ve seen. .....I’m impressed, too, with the breadth of expertise that is represented. Practitioners as well as academics, the "old guard" of disaster research as well as the young, rising stars, and the refreshing appearance of scholars from places other than the United States. I need this book on my shelf."

Lee Clarke, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey                                           Author of Worst Cases: Terror and Catastrophe in the Popular Imagination; Mission Improbable: Using Fantasy Documents to Tame Disaster; and Terrorism and Disaster: New Threats, New Ideas.

Recent disasters, such as the Indian Ocean Tsunami, bomb explosions in London, Hurricane Katrina, the Pakistan Earthquake, floods in Central America, landslides in Indonesia, and September 11, 2001 among many others, have resulted in an extensive loss of life, social disruption, significant economic impacts to local and national economies, and have made headline news in countries throughout the world. Thus the Handbook of Disaster Research is a timely and much needed contribution to the field of disasters.

The Hand