Climate, Mental Models, and Data for Disaster Preparedness with Josh DeVincenzo

ABSTRACT: Climate change poses significant challenges for disaster management professionals tasked with preparing and adapting communities to its impacts. This session will introduce important themes for engaging adults in climate literacy to make informed disaster preparedness decisions facilitated by data and behavioral science. The session will draw from a study of U.S.-based emergency managers to provide insights into how climate information can meet emergency management professionals' learning and operational needs throughout the United States. The study initiated an essential needs assessment, combining knowledge, beliefs, attitudes, and perceptions about climate change with effective engagement in adult learning rooted in mental models. The session will also provide an important overview of current gaps in data observed in disaster management and how data science can inform future disaster preparedness in the U.S. and abroad.

BIO: Dr. Josh DeVincenzo is the Assistant Director of Training and Education and Adjunct Lecturer of Climate at Columbia Climate School's National Center for Disaster Preparedness. Josh's research interests examine the relationship between climate change and mental models. Josh's expertise lies in developing lifelong learning experiences on disaster preparedness, mitigation, recovery, and resilience. He has created national-scale curricula in the United States on disaster financial literacy, economic impact analysis, and community partnerships. Josh aims to provide accessible and quality educational programming on a large scale, focusing on climate change and equity. He has published his work on climate pedagogy and cognition in esteemed journals and outlets such as the Journal of International Affairs, Routledge, State of Planet, and the Hill. Josh holds a master's degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and earned his doctorate from Teachers College, Columbia University.