Researchers to Speak About Sea Level Rise in Informal 'Science Pub'

September 24, 2015

Joshua Behr

The Office of Research, together with Old Dominion's Office of Community Engagement, has launched a new initiative designed to make University research more accessible to the community.

The first "Science Pubs" event will be hosted at O'Connor Brewing Company on Tuesday, Sept. 29.

At the 6-7:30 p.m. event, modeling and simulation researcher Joshua Behr will speak about what happens if O'Connor - or other neighborhood homes or businesses - literally become watering holes, because of the threat of sea level rise and recurrent flooding.

Behr, research associate professor at Old Dominion's Virginia Modeling, Analysis and Simulation Center (VMASC), will host "Should I Get Outta Dodge," a session about attitudes, perceptions and storm-related behavior in Hampton Roads.

"We are trying to reach out to new audiences in Hampton Roads to bring insights from the research done here at Old Dominion to address community problems like flooding and sea level rise," said Michelle Covi, assistant professor of practice with Old Dominion University and the Virginia Sea Grant Climate Adaptation and Resilience Program.

The event is free to the community. RSVP by Sept. 26 to odu.imodules.com/spb15, or by calling 757-683-3116. O'Connor Brewing is located at 211 West 24th Street in Norfolk.

Behr has conducted studies on the behavior of vulnerable populations and evacuation. He has been funded by agencies such as the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to research the capacity of vulnerable and medically fragile populations to prepare for and respond to sea level rise and the increased effects of severe storm events.

Future Science Pubs events will feature other multidisciplinary researchers at Old Dominion University with expertise in the study of sea level rise mitigation and adaptation.