2024 ECOS Publication Grant Supports Flood Risk, Social Vulnerability Study

Weibo Liu, Ph.D., an associate professor in the Department of Geosciences, was named a recipient of the School of Environmental, Coastal, and Ocean Sustainability’s (ECOS) 2024 Publication Grant. He received $2,000 to support his research.  

“I am honored to receive this grant, and I am so thankful to the committee for their consideration of our journal publication,” shared Liu. “This funding will allow us to continue to explore advanced methods which could offer even finer resolution insights into the interplay between social vulnerability and flood risk.”   

Liu’s project is investigating the spatial disparities in flood risk and social vulnerability in the Conterminous United States (CONUS), emphasizing urban–rural differences. It aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of how different areas are affected by flood risks, considering socioeconomic and geographic factors. By employing advanced spatial analysis methods, including Local Indicators of Spatial Association (LISA) and Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR), Liu and his team aim to identify and analyze significant patterns of flood exposure and social vulnerability at a detailed and localized level.  

“This study underscores the necessity for targeted, region-specific strategies to mitigate flood risks and enhance resilience, particularly in areas where high flood risk and social vulnerability converge,” explained Bishal Dhungana, the co-author and master student from the Department of Geosciences. “These findings provide critical insights for policymakers and planners to address environmental justice and promote equitable flood risk management across diverse geographic settings.”  

Liu’s article, “Urban–Rural Exposure to Flood Hazard and Social Vulnerability in the Conterminous United States,” was published in the International Journal of Geo-Information . It is currently featured as a “Highly Accessed Article” on the journal’s website .