LESSONS FOR RESEARCHERS AND FUNDING AGENCIES FROM HURRICANE KATRINA: A RESEARCH NOTE FROM MISSISSIPPI

Abstract

We surveyed National Science Foundation (NSF)-funded research in Mississippi to determine the economic extent of research damage and delays due to Hurricane Katrina. While several facilities were physically damaged, we found that the largest effects were time delays and missed opportunities. While psychological factors were not part of the original economic impact study, it became clear that they played an important role. Specifically, the Principal Investigator's (PI's) attitude of “just another delay” was one cultural barrier to fully accounting for the cost of these research delays. We concluded that Principal Investigators, with the assistance of funding agencies, should be better trained to measure time and opportunity costs associated with their research, so future disaster recovery efforts can more fully address those needs.

Funding for this research was provided by the National Science Foundation, Grant #0132618, Mississippi EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Improvement Program. Dr. Scanes was Principal Investigator.

Notes

∗Some PIs were responsible for multiple grants.

∗Jackson County includes many Gulf Coast communities including; Pascagoula, Ocean Springs, Moss Point, and Vancleave.