Professor Linda Whiteford

Qualitative Research on Health and Volcanoes: Anthropology, Geography, and Public Health

In this seminar, Professor Linda Whiteford discussed her work with Professor Graham Tobin around disasters, health and community resilience in Ecuador. 

This presentation discussed a long-term research project in Ecuador, South America, in which qualitative research was embedded along with biomedical, epidemiological, and geophysical methods. The qualitative methods employed generated non-numeric, open-ended information, such as written text, photographs, audio recording, observations, videos, and interviews. The qualitative data collection techniques used included site visits and structured observations, focus group discussions, in-depth interviews, ethnography - the study of human cultures - and expert interviews.

Qualitative research methods were important for this project as they helped glean insight, understand nuances, and uncover important problems that shaped community vulnerability and resilience such as history, economics, health care, and public policy. Research results were used to develop new models and paradigms about disasters, effect Civil Defense policies, and enhance in-depth understandings of community resilience.

Date and location: 8th September, 2015 11am to 12 pm, Seminar room, Wing A, 6th Floor, Maple House, 149 Tottenham Court Road, London W1T 7NF