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

curriculum vitae

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photo credit Jess Abel, UNC College of Arts and Sciences

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, as well as a predoctal trainee in the Carolina Population Center.

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, as well as a predoctal trainee in the Carolina Population Center.

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

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.

Interactive report · UNC article

 

Research

Farmworker housing and exposure to natural hazards

An example of state-registered H-2A farmworker housing in North Carolina.
An example of state-registered H-2A farmworker housing in North Carolina. Google Maps
2024 (Ongoing)

While in the US, people holding H-2A temporary agricultural work visas must use employer-provided housing and transportation. This arranagement, distinct from typical civil society, shapes exposure to thermal, flooding, and other hazards.

I am designing research to examine how this housing policy and form interacts with multiple hazards to shape well-being outcomes.

that's all for now

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

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