FEMP students, faculty present research to national audience
Wednesday, August 12, 2026
Media Contact: Tanner Holubar | Communications Specialist | 405-744-2065 | tanner.holubar@okstate.edu
From presenting research on artificial intelligence in emergency management to wildlife resilience and disaster recovery, Oklahoma State University's Fire and Emergency Management Administration Program showcased its research on some of the field's most pressing challenges during the 51st Annual Natural Hazards Research and Applications Workshop held July 14-17 in Boulder, Colorado.
The FEMP cohort showcased their research to a national audience through presentations and poster exhibitions. Faculty who participated were Dr. Tony McAleavy, Dr. Haley Murphy, Dr. Chen Chen and Professor Heather Yates. Students who took part were Ph.D. students Mayesha Shams, Lisa Wier and Qianli Qiu, as well as master's student Alaura Kannell.
The presentations included:
- Chen Chen, et al. (2026) Building Wildfire Coalitions to Reduce Risk (panel)
- Murphy Haley et al. (2026). When Do People Act? Hazard Experience, Risk Judgments, and Protective Action Timing
- Qiu Qianli, Chen Chen, et al. (2026) Public Perceptions of Micromobility for Disaster Response and Recovery
- Chen Chen, Qiu Qianli, et al. (2026). The Dynamics of Bicycles for Disaster Recovery and Relief
The posters included:
- Wier Lisa & McAleavy Tony (2026) Preparedness Stakeholder Perception of Near-Earth Object Risk: A Doctoral Research Design
- Wier Lisa & McAleavy Tony (2026) An Overlooked Catastrophe: Near-Earth Objects and Emergency Management Doctrine
Shams received the Best Student Paper award for her paper titled, "Can AI Replace Human Stakeholders in Emergency Management? Exploring the Promise and Pitfall of Automation on Authority, Trust and Outcome through a Narrative Literature Review."
Shams, from Dhaka City, Bangladesh, earned her bachelor's and master's degrees in disaster management from the University of Dhaka. She is entering her third year in the FEMP program, after starting her Ph.D. track during the fall 2024 semester.
Earning the Best Paper award is the most inspiring experience she has had during her pursuit of her Ph.D.
"It boosted my confidence to carry on expressing my ideas and thoughts on uncharted, less-observed arenas of disaster/emergency management," Shams said. "I am grateful and proud to be able to represent FEMP and OSU on such an internationally recognized, eminent platform as this workshop."
Her paper reviewed existing research to study whether AI could eventually replace emergency managers. While AI can analyze data and support decision-making, her research concluded that it can't replicate the empathetic presence and ethical and contextual judgment required during emergencies. Instead, she concluded that AI is best used as a tool to support, not replace, human leadership in emergency management operations.
Shams has been introduced to a range of ground-level issues that people and communities face during and after an emergency or disaster. She has learned that certain traumas take time to heal, and people can sometimes require ongoing mental and social support. She said emergencies have become significantly more complex, involving technical dynamics and layered response mechanisms.
"For me, there is always this urge to utilize my knowledge to create a linear understanding of disaster preparedness, disaster communication and help affected people feel supported and informed as much as possible," Shams said.
Shams has been volunteering with the American Red Cross Northern Oklahoma Chapter, working in community preparedness and disaster action teams. Meeting victims of wildfires, other volunteers, nurses, animal-assisted therapy volunteers and community members who shared their experiences gave her a stronger understanding of how people respond to crises.
"These interactions helped me to look through the gap between how communities, practitioners and researchers perceive an emergency and the response actions, which need to be addressed and well-bridged," Shams said.
Yates, school head for the School of Fire, Construction and Emergency Management, said she was proud of how well the faculty and students representing OSU showcased their research as they were recognized as leaders in the natural hazards field.
"Their outstanding contributions through research papers, panel discussions, poster presentations and award-winning scholarship demonstrate the growing national impact of our program and our commitment to advancing research that strengthens community resilience," Yates said. "We are especially proud of graduate student Mayesha Shams for earning the Best Student Paper award, an achievement that reflects her exceptional work, the excellence of our students, and Oklahoma State University's dedication to preparing leaders in natural hazards research and emergency management."