Profile photo of James Collins, taken by Jess Abel, UNC College of Arts and Sciences.

James P. Collins he/him

curriculum vitaeblueskylinkedingithuborcid
photo: Jess Abel/UNC

I am an environmental social scientist and geographer studying how communities respond to natural hazards. I am currently a Ph.D. student in the Department of City and Regional Planning at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. My research documents climate change impacts and adaptation in terms of (im)mobilities, health and well-being, and political ecology.

I earned a B.S. in environmental science and a B.A. in government from the University of Texas at Austin. I previously worked in municipal utility planning with the City of Austin, Texas.

I am happy to connect via the links under my photo.

James is an environmental social scientist and geographer studying how communities respond to natural hazards. He is currently a Ph.D. student in the Department of City and Regional Planning at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His research documents climate change impacts and adaptation in terms of (im)mobilities, health and well-being, and political ecology.

James earned a B.S. in environmental science and a B.A. in government from the University of Texas at Austin. He previously worked in municipal utility planning with the City of Austin, Texas.

James is happy to connect via the links under his photo.

Research

A commercial fishing harbor with large colorful beach homes in the background.
Commercial fishing harbor and new development on Harkers Island, NC.

Chronic coastal flooding tolerance in rural North Carolina

We asked people how they are tolerating more frequent non-catastrophic flooding from tides, wind, and rainfall.

I am using these interviews to describe how people stay in place despite flooding in the context of population growth, development, and environmental change.

Interactive report · UNC article

An example of state-registered H-2A farmworker housing in North Carolina.
An example of state-registered H-2A farm worker housing in North Carolina. Google Maps

Farm worker housing and exposure to natural hazards

Farm workers with H-2A visas must use employer-provided housing and transportation while in the US. This arrangement shapes exposure to thermal, flooding, and other hazards.

I am designing research to examine how this form of housing contributes to environmental risk and well-being outcomes.

A suburban block of homes standing in floodwaters.
Buyouts of homes in floodplains are a widely used risk reduction strategy. Public domain

Long-term outcomes of floodplain buyouts

Residential floodplain buyouts are used across the US to reduce exposure to flooding, yet relatively little is known about how people fare in the long-term after taking a buyout.

I am designing research on the effects of taking a buyout on long-term physical and financial well-being.

that's all for now

I am happy to connect regarding ideas, advice, or other inquiries. Please send me a message via bluesky or linkedin. 👋🏻

Text and media © James P. Collins, unless otherwise noted.