rofile photo of James Collins.
Jess Abel/UNC College of Arts and Sciences

curriculum vitae
schedule a meeting

linkedin
bluesky mastodon
github orcid

James P. Collins he/him

I am an environmental social scientist and geographer studying how communities respond to emerging natural hazards. My doctoral work investigates climate change adaptation through lenses of (im)mobility, health and well-being, and critical disaster studies.

I am currently a Ph.D. student in the Department of City and Regional Planning at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where I am training as a community-engaged mixed methods researcher. I am affiliated with UNC's Flood Hydrology and Hazards Lab, Environmental Justice Action Research Clinic, and Carolina Population Center. I am also involved in the Sunny Day Flooding Project and the Carolinas Collaborative on Climate, Health, and Equity (a NOAA Climate Adaptation Partnership).

Prior to doctoral studies, I earned bachelor's degrees in environmental science and government from the University of Texas at Austin and worked for National Park Service, The Nature Conservancy, and the City of Austin. Raised in central Texas, tacos, two-stepping, and oak-juniper canyonlands give me life.

I am happy to connect over research, coffee and ideas, advice, or other inquiries via the links under my photo.

James P. Collins is an environmental social scientist and geographer studying how communities respond to emerging natural hazards. His doctoral work investigates climate change adaptation through lenses of (im)mobility, health and well-being, and critical disaster studies.

James is currently a Ph.D. student in the Department of City and Regional Planning at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he is training as a community-engaged mixed methods researcher. He is affiliated with UNC's Flood Hydrology and Hazards Lab, Environmental Justice Action Research Clinic, and Carolina Population Center. He is also involved in the Sunny Day Flooding Project and the Carolinas Collaborative on Climate, Health, and Equity (a NOAA Climate Adaptation Partnership).

Prior to doctoral studies, James earned bachelor's degrees in environmental science and government from the University of Texas at Austin and worked for National Park Service, The Nature Conservancy, and the City of Austin. Raised in central Texas, tacos, two-stepping, and oak-juniper canyonlands give him life.

James is happy to connect over research, coffee and ideas, advice, or other inquiries via the links under his photo.

 

Research 01

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

2024 (Ongoing)

Collaborators and I interviewed people tolerating and accomodating increasing chronic flood risk from more severe, more frequent tides and rainfall.

I am qualitatively analyzing these sources to describe how this flooding acts on/with shifting population structures, development, (im)mobility aspirations, and environmental changes.

more …

that's all for now

I am happy to connect over my research, coffee and ideas, advice, or other inquiries. Schedule a meeting or send me a message via linkedin, bluesky, or mastodon. 👋🏻

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