Tara McGee, PhD, BES

About

Degrees

PhD (1996) The Australian National University

BES (1989) Bachelor of Environmental Studies (Co-op), University of Waterloo.

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Research

Research areas

• Human dimensions of wildfire
• Human dimensions of environmental hazards
• Wildfire mitigation and preparedness by homeowners and governments
• Wildfire evacuation
• Wildfire recovery
• Wildfire experiences Indigenous communities
• Qualitative research methods

Research interests

Dr. McGee’s research focuses on individual, community, and organizational responses to wildfires, and other environmental hazards. She has completed numerous studies on the human dimensions of wildfire, including wildfire risk perceptions, prevention, mitigation and preparedness, evacuation, and recovery. Most of her human dimensions of wildfire research is based in Canada, including the First Nations Wildfire Evacuation Partnership.  Although Dr. McGee’s research has focused mainly on wildfires, she has carried out and supervised research related to other hazards including floods, earthquakes, and avalanches.  

Research projects

• First Nations Wildfire Evacuation Partnership (Principal Investigator) https://www.eas.ualberta.ca/awe

Lab - Human Dimensions of Hazards Research Group

HM Tory Building, room 3-2

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Teaching

HGEO 252 Human Dimensions of Environmental Hazards  

This second year Human Geography course introduces students to key concepts and theoretical frameworks in the human dimensions of environmental hazards and disasters field, including vulnerability, environmental justice, resilience, mitigation and preparedness, recovery, risk communication, risk perceptions, social amplification of risk, and warning response. Students will also gain knowledge about the roles and responsibilities of the public and government agencies in environmental hazard mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery.  

  

Research opportunity

Students interested in completing their PhD/MA on the human dimensions of wildfires should contact me to discuss their research interests. I would also be happy to speak to other students with research interests in the broader human dimensions of hazards field.  

Tara K. McGee, Ludwig Paul B. Cabling

International Journal of Wildland Fire. 2022 May; 31 (6):599-606 10.1071/WF20177

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Tara K. McGee, Amy Cardinal Christianson, and the First Nations Wildfire Evacuation Partnership

Purich Books. 2021 July;

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Tara K. McGee

Fire Safety Journal. 2021 March; 120 10.1016/j.firsaf.2020.103120

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Tara K. McGee

Fire. 2019 March; 2 10.3390/fire2010013

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Tara K. McGee, Mishkeegogamang Ojibway Nation, Amy Cardinal Christianson

International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction.

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Leanne Labossiere, Tara K. McGee

International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction. 22

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View additional publications