Research Topics for a Master’s Thesis in Emergency Management

  • Diversity Topics in Emergencies
  • Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
  • Bioterrorism Preparation
  • Methodology in Emergency Management Research
  • Policy Analysis

Now is the perfect time to start working on a master’s degree in emergency management. Because the field is so new, there are thousands of topics untouched by researchers. Students can pursue their passion and advance their career at the same time.

1. Diversity Topics in Emergencies

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) was heavily criticized for its handling of the Katrina disaster in Louisiana, particularly the number of low-income residents left behind by state and federal authorities. These residents did not have private vehicles and were unable to evacuate the city on their own. Since Katrina, experts have learned the important of including diverse stakeholders in emergency management planning, but there are still many areas to be explored. Researchers can investigate social determinants like age, geographic location and socioeconomic status and their impact on access to information, government representation and confidence in local agencies. Students could also study the field itself by questioning the unique roles that women and minorities can play in shaping public policy.

2. Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

In the past ten years, emergency management departments have begun incorporating GIS systems into their work. This software allows planners to analyze the impacts of geography on human activities. GIS can be used to determine how long an evacuation will take or the average distance between every house in a county and the nearest fire department. Expertise in GIS allows graduates to write their own ticket to a career in almost any state or county, as departments are desperate for workers who can bridge the gap between this modern technology and outdated practices.

3. Bioterrorism Preparation

Weaponized ebola, anthrax delivered by mail or the release of smallpox toxins by foreign agents are possible bioterrorism threats. Many agencies are not prepared to respond to emergencies of this nature because they lack the appropriate equipment (like HAZMAT suits and laboratory equipment) or because their personnel haven’t been trained on this issue. A comprehensive review of state and federal plans to respond to bioterrorism, including an analysis of best practices and who is following them, would be an interesting research topic for a degree in emergency management.

4. Methodology in Emergency Management Research

The ultimate goal of any graduate student research is to be published in a peer-reviewed journal. With so many students and professional researchers competing for limited publication spots, it’s challenging for new researchers to succeed in this goal. Meta-reviews, or research on already published research, are one of the easiest ways to get published. Analyzing the methods used in current journal articles will almost certainly result in acceptance into popular emergency management journals like the Journal of Emergency Management or the Journal of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. This is an excellent thesis topic for researchers who love statistics and methodology critiques.

5. Policy Analysis

Because emergency management is such a new field, policy studies can have tremendous impact on current practices. A well-conducted study can shape government policies for decades to come. For example, a demonstration that fire safety demonstrations at local schools are closely correlated to decreased rates of home fires in the surrounding area might inspire hundreds of fire departments to increase demonstrations. This is because so many current policies are based on instinct, not science. Emergency management is an excellent arena for researchers looking to make a big impact with their work.

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The right research plan can lead to easy admission into a doctoral program or a lucrative job in the field. Choosing a master’s thesis in emergency management is easy with so many options on the table.