Join the Friends of the Dartmouth Libraries on Saturday, October 4, at 1 p.m. to hear researcher and lecturer Matt Davis as he explores why people live in risky places, the psychological factors affecting our preparation for potential disasters, and factors that can help in disaster recovery.  Drawing on his research at Italy’s Mt. Vesuvius and Washington’s Mt. Rainier, his experiences in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, and his work on earthquake preparedness efforts in California, Dr. Davis will discuss disaster preparedness and recovery.  The presentation will be held at Dartmouth North Branch Library.

Born and raised in Massachusetts, Matt Davis graduated from UMass Dartmouth, attended graduate schools in Virginia and Southern California, and is a retired Emeritus Professor of Psychology from Dominican University of California.  He conducted the first research studies of how residents living in close proximity to Italy’s famous volcano, Mt. Vesuvius, perceive their risk from potential eruptions.  He has also collaborated with emergency management organizations on several projects involving earthquake and tsunami preparedness in California and volcano evacuation plans for Washington’s Mt. Rainier.  Matt was an invited speaker at dozens of conferences and workshops across the U.S. and internationally and was a featured expert in two television documentaries: Could It Happen Here? (2006) and Alien Invasion: Are We Ready? (2011).  An avid traveler, he has visited 35 countries and shared his passion for travel with students as a leader for several study abroad trips across Europe.  He is the author of the travel memoir, At Home in the World: Reflections of a Travel Addict, which chronicles many of his adventures while traveling internationally.

Dr. Davis’ presentation will be held at Dartmouth North Branch Library, 211 Cross Street.  For more information, please e-mail fodl.libraries@gmail.com.