Carolyn Smith

Department of Geography

Carolyn researches volcanic risk through study of Copahue volcano, the semi-nomadic Indigenous community who live-with its active crater, and particularly fraught community-State relationships. This is the first study that the community have allowed in over 20 years. Carolyn examined spatio-temporal patterns of movement and proposed rhythm as an intercultural concept for future community-State communication. She wrote her findings into a storybook, We Dance to the Rhythms of Mother Nature, to share her research with the community in a culturally appropriate way. Carolyn is currently working with the Chilean geological institute to adapt their official communication strategies according to this approach.