Dr Tracey Coates
- Faculty of Engineering, Computing and the Environment
- Department of Geography, Geology and the Environment
- School of Built Environment and Geography
- Penrhyn Road
Senior lecturer in Human Geography
About
I am a human geographer but much of my teaching is on our hazards and disaster management courses. I use interactive teaching methods, involving realistic scenarios wherever possible, to convey this exciting, dynamic and increasingly important subject. I also involve practitioners in the courses, so students can share their knowledge first hand and develop skills used in a range of different hazards and disaster/emergency contexts. This, along with field work, ensures our students are well prepared for the workplace when they graduate.
Previously based in the Flood Hazard Research Centre at Middlesex University, in 2010 I was awarded my PhD - 'The Conscious Community: Belonging, identities and networks in local communities' response to flooding'. This qualitative research examined the varied ways in which local people respond to flooding and what enables or hinders their ability to work together as a 'local community'.
I continue to conduct qualitative research on the social aspects of hazards, focusing in particular but not exclusively on flooding in the UK. I take a critical approach to key concepts such as vulnerability and resilience which shape our approach to managing disasters.
Some recent research themes include:
- The role the voluntary and community sector (VCS) plays in providing resilience to UK civil contingency risks such as floods and pandemics and how they can be effectively supported and included in resilience planning and decision making at the local level.
- The potential for spatial planning to promote resilience to flooding and erosion in Europe
- Community resilience in emergency response and recovery situations in the UK
- The role of small businesses in community resilience
View my profiles pages on ResearchGate and Academia for more information.
Qualifications
- Fellow of the HEA
- Fellow of the RGS
- PhD ‘The Conscious Community: Belonging, identities and networks in local communities' response to flooding'
- Postgraduate Certificate in Research Methods
- MSc Geography, Health and Environment
- BSc (Hons) Environmental Science