Personal profile
Biography
Dr Laura Hirst is a Research Fellow in Human Geography Policy and Development at the Centre for Global Development (CGD) of Northumbria University, where she contributes to research and projects as part of the Northumbria Peak of Research Excellence on Volunteering, Humanitarian Crises and Development.
Drawing on an academic background in anthropology and geography, her PhD research explored fire risk and disaster justice in Nairobi, as part of an ESRC CASE studentship with Operation Florian, a UK fire and rescue humanitarian organisation. Through this collaboration, she contributes to ongoing research with volunteer and professional emergency services in Lebanon and Macedonia.
Education/Academic qualification
Applied Social Science, PhD, Fire (in)justice in informal settlements: exploring the dynamics of fire risk in Nairobi, Kenya., University of Manchester
Award Date: 30 Apr 2025
BA (Hons), Anthropology and Geography, University College London
MSc, Social Development Practice, University College London
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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Fire Safety in Informal Settlements: A Gendered Framework of Fire Justice
Hirst, L. & Underhill, H., 1 May 2025, In: Fire Technology. 61, p. 1287–1302 16 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access2 Citations (Scopus) -
Diversifying governance of fire risk and safety in informal settlements
Underhill, H., Hirst, L., Antonellis, D., Gibson, L. & Vaiciulyte, S., Jul 2024, London: Royal Academy of Engineering. 30 p.Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned report › peer-review
Open Access -
A comparative study of fire risk emergence in informal settlements in Dhaka and Cape Town
Antonellis, D., Hirst, L., Twigg, J., Vaiciulyte, S., Faisal, R., Spiegel, M., Faller, G., Walls, R., Flores, N. & Messerschmidt, B., 2022, Royal Academy of Engineering. 42 p. (Safer Complex Systems Case Studies)Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned report › peer-review
File2 Downloads (Pure) -
Fire risk reduction on the margins of an urbanizing world
Rush, D., Bankoff, G., Cooper-Knock, S. J., Gibson, L., Hirst, L., Jordan, S., Spinardi, G., Twigg, J. & Walls, R. S., 27 Nov 2020, In: Disaster Prevention and Management: An International Journal. 29, 5, p. 747-760 14 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access41 Citations (Scopus) -
Critical urban learning through participatory photography
Frediani, A. A. & Hirst, L., 25 Nov 2016, Engaged Urbanism: Cities & Methodologies. Campkin, B. & Duijzings, G. (eds.). 1st ed. London: Bloomsbury, p. 131-138 8 p.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review
1 Citation (Scopus)