Sociology Professor Ryan Alaniz
Are we prepared for major disasters? Does the U.S. government have a plan for when a disaster does strike?
Cal Poly sociology Professor Ryan Alaniz is working toward that goal. Alaniz is involved with the academic arm of the United Nations, creating ideas that go beyond theory to further the goal of saving lives in disaster situations. Important to this effort is a better understanding of how other cultures throughout the world cope with disaster. This includes discussion of whether other cultures even share Western perceptions of what a “disaster” is.
Alaniz is working to understand these issues to instill in the public a stronger sense of urgency. Working with the United Nations University, Alaniz was recently selected as a World Social Science Fellow, along with representatives from various countries, to discuss disaster relief-related issues and possible protocols. Their goal was to develop ideas that the U.N. and national governments could use as a foundation for policy decisions.
“Our job was to look at this framework of risk interpretation and action for understanding how people do or do not react when disasters happen and develop it even deeper. Twenty-one of us participated from different countries, with completely different perspectives,” Alaniz said.
Alaniz recently attended seminars and conferences in New Zealand and Bangladesh. As his research develops, he looks to expand his scholarship into more complex aspects of disaster relief and risk, eventually bringing what he has learned back to the community level. Alaniz believes there is much more at stake than many realize.
“We know that disasters are increasing in both number and intensity. We know that human beings are more vulnerable because they are living in closer proximity to one another, often with high levels of poverty. We are going to see more disasters and more people suffering, and a lack of national aid to deal with disasters.”
Alaniz emphasizes that understanding the issues in their complexity and implications will give strategists a clearer focus for disaster-recovery policy. The ability to prevent unnecessary suffering is at stake.
“If we can better understand how people interpret and act based on risk, then we can better create strategies to educate people differently or encourage people differently when they face risk,” Alaniz said.
“It’s all tied together. Our impact on the climate is affecting the number, type and intensity of natural disasters. This is going to change how people migrate and immigrate throughout the world.”
Though research is his main focus, Alaniz also works to bridge the divide between broad issues of world disasters and action in his local community. The first step is introducing the importance of world issues and perspectives in the classroom.
In an effort to teach students that every action matters, Alaniz offers an alternative option to the traditional midterm, allowing students to spend a “week in the life” of someone else. Students might choose to use a wheelchair, to fast, or to work in the fields for a few days.
“I am trying to educate community members and students to the realities of those who are living to provide for them,” Alaniz said. “That’s the kind of reality check I’m trying to bring to the students.”
In the community, Alaniz is on the board of directors for Restorative Partners, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to help those impacted by crime. He is also the founder and executive director of The Futbol Project, a nonprofit that collects sports equipment for orphanages and underprivileged children in Latin America and Africa.
With these accomplishments in mind, The Tribune recently included Alaniz in its 2013 “Top 20 Under 40” list, which recognizes professional achievement and community service.
“I’m grateful, and I really want to continue this type of work,” Alaniz said. “My goal in life is to leave the world a better place and be very conscientious that every decision I make has an impact. That’s what I’m trying to do — to make all of my actions count.”