UW Student Christoph Pfülb Awarded Research Grant for Volunteerism and Emergency Management Study
We are proud to announce that Christoph Pfülb, a second-year master’s student in the Coastal Communities and Regional Development program at the University Centre of the Westfjords (UW), has received a prestigious research grant from the Icelandic Regional Development Institute. His thesis project, titled "Volunteerism and Emergency Management in Iceland: Examining the Role of Place Attachment and Local Engagement in Search and Rescue and Disaster Relief Organizations", addresses critical aspects of local community resilience in the face of natural hazards and climate change.
Christoph will collaborate with advisors Dr. Jóhanna Gísladóttir and Dr. Matthias Kokorsch, who have extensive experience in this field through their work on the CliCNord project. Speaking about the inspiration for his research, Christoph noted that his project stems from two courses he took at UW as part of his master’s. The courses were Coping with Disasters, taught by Dr. Uta Reichardt, and People and the Sea: Geographical Perspectives, taught by Dr. Kokorsch. Christoph has always been interested in disaster risk management and humanitarian aid, and he is a long-term member of the German Lifesaving Association.
The research will build on a national survey conducted in 2023/2024 by UW master’s student Emma Dexter, which explored place attachment, climate change awareness, and risk perception. Christoph’s project aims to use this data to uncover motivations for volunteering in organizations such as ICE-SAR and the Red Cross, assess the role of place attachment in local engagement, and identify strategies to enhance emergency preparedness and disaster response structures across Iceland.
“Iceland faces a wide range of natural hazards and is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, which is likely to aggravate natural hazard risk and increase the occurrence of potentially disastrous events" Christoph explained. "Emergency response relies heavily on local volunteers, especially in rural and remote areas".
The funding from the Icelandic Regional Development Institute will cover essential research expenses, including data analysis software and travel costs for expert interviews. Christoph added, "Although my research does not require extensive resources, this grant allows me to fully concentrate on my thesis and make the most of my findings. After analysis of the survey data, I plan to discuss the findings with key stakeholders from Icelandic emergency services and management”.
Since 2015, the Icelandic Regional Development Institute has supported master’s students working on final projects connected to regional development, placing emphasis on originality, implementation potential, and relevance to regional planning. This funding opportunity has been vital for UW students, with five securing grants over the past five years.
About Christoph Pfülb
Originally from Hannover, Germany, Christoph holds a bachelor’s degree in social and cultural anthropology and human geography from Georg-August-University Göttingen. His undergraduate thesis focused on beach-seine fisheries in the Gulf of Guinea, which sparked his interest in pursuing coastal and regional development studies.
Reflecting on his experience in the Coastal Communities and Regional Development program, Christoph highlighted the diverse course offerings and the freedom to tailor his studies to his interests. "The program’s international and interdisciplinary approach, along with field trips and practical experiences, provides invaluable insights into community and regional development in Iceland."
Living in Ísafjörður has been a rewarding adventure for Christoph. "It’s a small and cozy town with plenty to do, from concerts and pub quizzes to hiking, surfing, and snowboarding. The community is very friendly, and the daily trip to the pool is not just relaxing but also a great way to connect with people. I love the mix of a laid-back atmosphere and weather that can turn any day into an adventure!" In addition to his studies, Christoph enjoys working for the local municipality, finding it both flexible and rewarding.
We congratulate Christoph on his achievement and look forward to following the progress of his important research.