research overview
- The current focus of the work of Professor Palen is on the area of “Crisis Informatics.” Palen and her colleagues have investigated computer-mediated communications (from social media and other social computing platforms) in multiple mass emergency and mass disruption events since 2005. Research advancements are in the areas of massive data collection, quantitative and qualitative analysis, socio-behavioral studies, and information and communication technology innovation for emergency response. Palen's focus is on disasters arising from severe weather events or other natural hazards. She also examines information behaviors in relation to public health issues, particularly as they pertain to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, climate change, and enviro-racial injustice.