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Caltech is set to launch a Center for Disaster Resilience on Wednesday with the aim of integrating scientific research into policy decision-making across Southern California.
Dr. Lucy Jones, a renowned seismologist, will direct the new center, building upon her previous work with the Dr. Lucy Jones Center for Science and Society, which she founded about a decade ago after leaving the U.S. Geological Survey. The center's mission is to support the application of science in creating more resilient communities, according to Pasadena Star News.
Dr. Jones emphasized the importance of bridging the gap between scientific findings and local decision-makers. "I can see how science could really help people deal with disasters," she said. However, she noted that the current structure of science in the U.S. often discourages young scientists from engaging in policy work. At Caltech, Jones plans to leverage the institution's extensive network of scientists to foster these connections.
The center will address various disasters affecting Southern California, including earthquakes, wildfires, flooding, tropical storms, and extreme heat. It will aim to create alliances among stakeholders such as cities, counties, and major utilities to facilitate evidence-based decision-making. "We know that the best way to deal with losses is to prevent them from happening in the first place," Jones stated.
A key project for the center is the development of "ShakeOut Scenario 2.0," an updated version of the original ShakeOut Scenario that Jones created in 2008 while at USGS. This new iteration will consider societal changes and incorporate insights from economists and social scientists to evaluate the broader impacts of disasters, including secondary events like fires and mudslides.
The center received a $200,000 startup fund from Caltech and will rely on philanthropic support and membership fees from alliance members for long-term funding. Dr. Jones will work with her deputy director, Dr. Samantha Stanley, and John Bwarie, who collaborated with her nonprofit, to advance the center's goals.