Profile

Biography

Jessica Roberts started a Phd in the Environment Department in 2009.  Prior to starting her Phd she worked for the British Red Cross as a Community Resilience Project Manager looking specifically at developing resilience levels amongst young people.  Her current research looks into the resilience capacities of volcanic communities specifically within the developing world. 

Career

PhD Student	Environment Department, University of York
MSc Geohazard Assessment	University of Portsmouth
BSc Applied Geography	Bournemouth University

Research

Overview

Description of PhD

Title:  Quantifying the Resilience of Volcanic Communities and Refining Sustainable Livelihoods Approaches for Volcanic Regions

Supervisor(s):  Dr. Pierre Delmelle

TAC:  TBA

Funding:  ESRC Studentship

Description of Thesis

While volcanoes are often perceived as high-risk areas they can also provide multiple benefits to surrounding communities.  As a source of natural resources they offer income opportunities, food security and residence to millions of individuals worldwide. In contrast to other natural phenomena they are unique both in their dynamics of time and space and in their provision of such benefits.

Throughout the cycle of activity the physical evolution of a volcano can influence the socio-economic vulnerability of its population.  One method used to secure incomes and increase the resilience of communities, enabling recovery after an eruption is to encourage sustainable livelihoods.  

Since neither resilience nor the ability to practice safe and secure livelihoods have a market price, a measure of their economic value can only be obtained through non-market valuation techniques.  Given the widespread use of Sustainable Livelihoods Approaches (SLAs) and the influence which the methodologies exert over hazard management, it is surprising that the sensitivity of SLA derived data have not been investigated.  

My doctoral research aims to address this issue and seek to provide decision makers with a clear information base for developing volcanic management plans.

Publications