Economic Development Quarterly (EDQ) is the premiere applied academic journal publishing research on domestic U.S. economic and workforce development issues. Its mission is to promote research supporting the formulation of evidence-based economic development and workforce development policy, programs, and practice in the United States.
Major natural disasters are occurring across the United States, from wildfires in the West, tornados and blizzards in the Midwest, and hurricanes in the South and East. The costs of these dangerous, life-threatening events reach billions of dollars, and forecasters are predicting that they may become more intense and more frequent in the coming years.
At the same time, the roles and capabilities of state and federal governments/agencies to address these natural crises are being questioned. Moreover, the nation’s insurance industry is struggling, as its risk models may not be adequate given the frequency and severity of these events. Finally, in some vulnerable coastal and forested areas, questions are being raised regarding suitable redevelopment.
EDQ is seeking research manuscript proposals that examine the impact of natural disasters on regional economic development in the United States. This special issue of EDQ would provide research on how communities are transformed by natural disasters and identifying the challenges they face in rebuilding. What are the lessons learned in community, state, and federal responses to past disasters?
POSSIBLE RESEARCH TOPICS
EDQ is seeking research manuscript proposals that examine the potential impact of substantial natural disasters on local economics. Topics could include:
- How to measure the long- and short-term economic impacts of natural disasters? How do these events change the economic structure and trajectory of impacted communities?
- What are the major barriers to redevelopment including the planning decisions to modify future development to be more resistant to possible reoccurring environmental threats?
- What is the impact to residential construction of increasing threats of natural disasters?This can include the significant strains placed on the nation’s insurance industry.
- What are the components of an effective economic redevelopment plan for impacted communities?
- What are the demographic and social impacts in communities where the threat of reoccurring natural disasters is growing?
These topics are offered as ideas. Authors are encouraged to pursue their own topics that highlight past and future regional economic development policies. Case studies are welcome especially if they highlight policy actions that could be transferable to other communities that are focused on preparing response readiness plans. Submitted papers should not have been previously published nor be currently under consideration for publication elsewhere.
TYPE OF PROPOSALS CONSIDERED
Both commentaries and research proposals will be considered. Proposals that intend to identify key factors affecting the effectiveness of natural disasters should provide information on the data and methodology that will be used. Commentaries should be grounded on strong literature reviews of past research and future projects and forecasted trends.
Authors must also submit a current curriculum vitae.
TIMELINE
Paper proposals must be emailed to edq@upjohn.org by May 31, 2025. The selected authors will be notified by July 31, 2025.
Authors of the selected proposals will be invited to a one-day virtual researchers workshop hosted by the W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research in the Fall of 2025 to present their initial findings, along with fellow authors and Upjohn economists. Authors will be asked to submit drafts of their completed papers in advance of the researchers’ workshop so that they can be distributed to the other selected researchers and Upjohn economists for review prior to the workshop. It is mandatory that the lead author of each paper attend the virtual workshop.
Completed papers for consideration for the EDQ special issue on Estimating the Impact of Natural Disasters in U.S. Communities should be submitted to EDQ no later than January 2026. Papers will be required to go through the journal’s peer review process to be included in the special issue.
For questions or information, please contact Claudette Robey, Managing Editor, at edq@upjohn.org.