2:30 PM - 2:45 PM
[U14-04] Role of "resident researchers" during natural disasters
★Invited Papers
Keywords:2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake, resident researchers
On January 1, 2024, the ``Reiwa 6 Noto Peninsula Earthquake'' with a magnitude of 7.6 occurred in Ishikawa Prefecture, where I live. Although I live in the disaster area and am a disaster victim in the broad sense, I have been working as a ``researcher in residence'' to build relationships with local stakeholders and contribute to solving problems during disasters. While introducing my experience, I would like to think about the meaning of "earth science activities in emergencies" and share the position and struggles of resident researchers involved in disasters.
[Me as a resident researcher]
Researcher in physical geography, geomorphology, and Quaternary science. 2002 Joined Kanazawa University Faculty of Letters. Since 2006, he has been involved in the preparations for establishing the Faculty of Regional Revitalization, which focuses on solving regional issues. Since the 2007 Noto Peninsula Earthquake, he has been engaged in local activities related to disaster prevention and mitigation as a resident researcher.
[How to interact with local communities that changes with the times]
1) Regional information transmission period
Approximately half a month after the disaster: My main job is to scientifically explain events and situations. We tried to provide information from a bird's-eye view and in a leading manner. There are few researchers in rural areas. As a resident researcher involved in disaster prevention, I have decided that I need to work as an ``interpreter of science and society'' even in fields outside my area of expertise. The information dissemination channel during this period is the local mass media. Having a channel with the media in our daily activities has enabled us to operate smoothly. In addition, because we are a station that allows for two-way exchange of opinions, we are able to be involved from the program composition stage (content to be conveyed), and we believe that we can provide more effective information.
2) Information dissemination period for researchers
Approximately one week after the disaster: Presentation of the situation in the disaster area (infrastructure, lifelines, points to note during investigation), ground truth data that cannot be viewed remotely, etc.
3) Period for disseminating information nationwide
One week after the disaster - ongoing: National media response. This is the most difficult. By disseminating local programs and articles over the Internet, you can be interviewed by national media as a ``local expert.'' As a reaction to disseminating comprehensive information to the region, I am now being asked to speak in front of the public about matters outside of my field of expertise. I once refused, saying, ``I'm not an expert, so please find another expert.''
4) Consultant response period
One month after the disaster - ongoing: The work was unexpected, such as responding to inquiries from external organizations considering support and building personal networks.
5) Future outlook
By the time the manuscript was due, a month and a half had passed since the earthquake. I think I can finally start my own research. Requests for related lectures have also been received from regions and organizations outside the disaster area.
[Sufferings of resident researchers]
I didn't have time. I didn't have enough time due to research, information gathering, media relations, and daily tasks. In particular, I was unable to go on-site inspections because my time was taken up by media relations and daily work.
24-hour response required: It was stressful to constantly think about disasters while dealing with various responses and gathering information. They managed to get through the disaster by asking a researcher who had been a resident researcher during past disasters to listen to their complaints. I felt it necessary to share the experiences and voices of resident researchers living in the disaster-stricken areas.
[Me as a resident researcher]
Researcher in physical geography, geomorphology, and Quaternary science. 2002 Joined Kanazawa University Faculty of Letters. Since 2006, he has been involved in the preparations for establishing the Faculty of Regional Revitalization, which focuses on solving regional issues. Since the 2007 Noto Peninsula Earthquake, he has been engaged in local activities related to disaster prevention and mitigation as a resident researcher.
[How to interact with local communities that changes with the times]
1) Regional information transmission period
Approximately half a month after the disaster: My main job is to scientifically explain events and situations. We tried to provide information from a bird's-eye view and in a leading manner. There are few researchers in rural areas. As a resident researcher involved in disaster prevention, I have decided that I need to work as an ``interpreter of science and society'' even in fields outside my area of expertise. The information dissemination channel during this period is the local mass media. Having a channel with the media in our daily activities has enabled us to operate smoothly. In addition, because we are a station that allows for two-way exchange of opinions, we are able to be involved from the program composition stage (content to be conveyed), and we believe that we can provide more effective information.
2) Information dissemination period for researchers
Approximately one week after the disaster: Presentation of the situation in the disaster area (infrastructure, lifelines, points to note during investigation), ground truth data that cannot be viewed remotely, etc.
3) Period for disseminating information nationwide
One week after the disaster - ongoing: National media response. This is the most difficult. By disseminating local programs and articles over the Internet, you can be interviewed by national media as a ``local expert.'' As a reaction to disseminating comprehensive information to the region, I am now being asked to speak in front of the public about matters outside of my field of expertise. I once refused, saying, ``I'm not an expert, so please find another expert.''
4) Consultant response period
One month after the disaster - ongoing: The work was unexpected, such as responding to inquiries from external organizations considering support and building personal networks.
5) Future outlook
By the time the manuscript was due, a month and a half had passed since the earthquake. I think I can finally start my own research. Requests for related lectures have also been received from regions and organizations outside the disaster area.
[Sufferings of resident researchers]
I didn't have time. I didn't have enough time due to research, information gathering, media relations, and daily tasks. In particular, I was unable to go on-site inspections because my time was taken up by media relations and daily work.
24-hour response required: It was stressful to constantly think about disasters while dealing with various responses and gathering information. They managed to get through the disaster by asking a researcher who had been a resident researcher during past disasters to listen to their complaints. I felt it necessary to share the experiences and voices of resident researchers living in the disaster-stricken areas.