Annual Hazards and Disasters Student Paper Competition
The Annual Hazards and Disasters Paper Competition for undergraduate and graduate students was created in 2004 to recognize the highly interdisciplinary nature of hazards and disaster research. Submissions may be theoretical arguments, case studies, literature reviews, or descriptions of research results on topics relevant to the social/behavioral aspects of hazards and disasters, natural, technological, or otherwise.
Papers will be judged on their originality, organization, and demonstrated knowledge of the topic. One undergraduate and one graduate winner will each receive $100; a mention in the Natural Hazards Observer; publication on the Natural Hazards Center Web site; and an invitation to the Annual Hazards Workshop in Boulder, Colorado, registration fees included.
Call for Papers
The Natural Hazards Center is pleased to announce its fourth annual Hazards and Disasters Student Paper Competition.
Papers may present current research, literature reviews, theoretical arguments, or case studies. Paper topics may include, but are not limited to, floods/floodplain management, Hurricane Katrina, earthquakes, climate change, warning systems, hazard mitigation, emergency management, vulnerability, or other topics relevant to the social/behavioral aspects of hazards and disasters.
The deadline for the 2008 competition will be March 14, 2008.
Download a copy of the 2008 Call for Papers.
Eligibility and Criteria
- Author must have enrolled as an undergraduate or graduate student in at least one term during the current academic year
- Papers must be authored by one or more students* and not coauthored by faculty or a colleague who is not a student
- Papers cannot have been submitted for publication at the time of submission, although papers presented at professional meetings or submitted for presentation at professional meetings may be submitted
- Papers must be less than 25 pages, including notes, references, and tables (double-spaced, 1” margins, 8½” x 11”, 12 pt.font, in Word or PDF format)
- Paper submission should include a cover letter or submission form (available online) including name of author, academic affiliation, academic major, mailing address, e-mail, category (undergraduate or graduate), title of paper, a brief abstract/summary (100-150 words), and the citation style used.
Judging
Papers will be judged primarily on the originality and content of their paper. The paper should present a well-organized and logical thesis or argument that is engaging and demonstrates the author’s knowledge and ability to integrate a broad scope of resources and references on a topic.
Academic Integrity
In an effort to maintain the academic integrity of this program, plagiarism (portrayl of another's work or ideas as one's own), fabrication (falsification or creation of data, research or resources), or other forms of academic dishonesty as defined by the University of Colorado Honor Code will not be accepted. Any submissions not adhering to the Honor Code will be disqualified. Student are encouraged to use in-text citations, footnotes, and/or endnotes to reference information sources. It is recommended that student use Chicago style or similar author-date reference styles. The citation style should be noted on the submission form and/or cover letter.
Additional information on the University of Colorado Honor Code may be found online at http://www.colorado.edu/academics/honorcode/.
Award
One undergraduate and one graduate winner each will:
- Receive $100.
- Have their papers published on the Natural Hazards Center Web site.
- Be invited to the Annual Hazards Workshop presented by the Natural Hazards Center, including registration fees.
- Mention in the Natural Hazards Observer.
*In the case of coauthors, the monetary award will be divided equally among the coauthors.
Submissions and Deadline
Students can download and complete the Submission Form or send a cover letter that includes the following information:
- Name of author
- Academic affiliation
- Academic major
- Mailing address
- Title of paper
- Brief abstract or summary (100-150 words)
- Citation style (Chicago, ASA, APA, etc.)
Students should send a copy of their paper in Word or PDF format accompanied by the submission form or cover letter via e-mail to Ali Jordan (alexandra.jordan@colorado.edu) or Brandi Gilbert (brandi.gilbert@colorado.edu).
Mailed and faxed submissions will not be accepted. Upon receipt, students will be sent an email that confirms their submission was received. Submissions will be reviewed and winners will be notified in May.
Previous Winners
2007 Winners
Brett Heeger, Brown University - Disasters and CNN: The importance of TV news coverage for provoking private donations for disaster relief
Alex Mitchell, Colorado State University - Impact of Fear: An examination of the 2002 Washington, DC sniper shootings
2006 Winners
Lindsey Barnes, University of Colorado at Colorado Springs - Public Perceptions of Flash Flood False Alarms: A Denver, Colorado Case Study
Brooke Fisher Liu, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill - Preparing the People
2005 Winners
Sheridan Wimmer, Kansas State University - Can Biotechnology Help Slow Global Warming?
Hannah Brenkert, University of Colorado - The Place of Fire
2004 Winners
Tristan L. Emery, Purdue University - untitled (disaster communications)
Walker S. Ashley, University of Georgia - Derecho Hazards in the United States
Contact
Any questions and inquiries should be directed to:
Ali Jordan
Natural Hazards Center
University of Colorado at Boulder
482 UCB
Boulder, Colorado 80309-0482
Phone: (303) 492-0428
E-mail: alexandra.jordan@colorado.eduBrandi Gilbert
Natural Hazards Center
University of Colorado at Boulder
482 UCB
Boulder, Colorado 80309-0482
Phone: (303) 492-6647
E-mail: brandi.gilbert@colorado.edu