Manuela FERNANDEZ

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    Office: 353.3

    Phone: +41 21 692 35 61

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    Website: http://www.unil.ch/unisciences/manuelafernandez

Curiculum Vitae

I graduated with a degree in political science from the University of Buenos Aires (Argentina) in July 2004 and subsequently completed a Masters program in Geography (specialization: “urban studies”) at the University of Lausanne (Switzerland) in September 2008. These experiences have allowed me to develop a good knowledge of institutions, actors, public policies and models of public management in Latin America and Europe.

Following these studies, the Faculty of Geosciences of the University of Lausanne (UNIL) granted me funding to initiate research about natural hazard and management of risk in Guatemala in collaboration with the Institute of Geology UNIL. I have travelled twice to my study area (Altiplano of Guatemala) and I have been able to identify territorial vulnerabilities, the main socio-economic aspects and principal risk actors. I have also mapped - using GIS - the local risk perceptions and native prevention measures to better understand the Maya conception and local response. I have been able to establish good relations with the local organizations, communities and governments who are interested in our recommendations about natural risk mitigation.

Research domain

Currently, I am preparing a PhD and I am interested in applying risk reduction models in the developing countries. My research topic aims at producing an integrated approach in order to consider the principal and local territorial vulnerabilities and hazards. Some of the key questions are: How is it possible to distinguish regional issues according to their priority? What is the best way to proceed when territories present multiple risks and multiple vulnerabilities? Is the classic approach focalized on hazard analysis adequate to reduce territorial risk? As a junior researcher interested in territorial approaches and their effectiveness, I am particularly interested in understanding the role of the risk expert. Is it to focalize only on analyzing hazard? Is it to include others territorial dimensions (social, cultural, economic criteria) when proposing recommendations? Is it necessary to change the current management model to integrate new governance modes?

Publications

Fernandez, M., Matasci, B. Brocard, G. (2010) “Articulo concerniente a las investigaciones geologicas y sociales en vistas a una integral gestion de riesgos, realizadas en San Miguel de Uspantan en junio 2009” Article regarding geological and social investigation in view of an integrated risk management. Report and recommendations for the Environment Ministry of Guatemala and the mayor of San Miguel de Uspantán, Guatemala, Mister Victor Hugo Figueroa.

Fernandez, M (2010) "De la mise en œuvre comme révélateur de la pertinence des systèmes de gestion de risques". In Seminar 621 of 78° Congress ACFAS- Association francophone pour le savoir. University of Montréal. HEC Montréal. 10.05.2010. Website.

Fernandez, M (2010) “A framework for improved risk management with case study from Guatemala”. Poster Anniversary of the IPTEH and IGAR Institutes. University of Lausanne, Switzerland.

Matasci, B., Fernandez, M. (2009) “Informe Bellas Flores: Canalización del agua potable en Bellas Flores”. Bellas Flores report: Channeling water into Bellas Flores.Report and recommendations for Bellas Flores, a native community of Uspantán, Guatemala.

Brocard, G., Fernandez, M., Suski, B., Cosenza Muralles, B., Audra, P. (2009) “Notas intermediarias relativas a las investigaciones geológicas, geofísicas y sociales realizadas en San Miguel de Uspantán, Guatemala entre febrero 2007 y diciembre 2008”. Intermediary notes concerning geological, geophysical and social studies in San Miguel de Uspantán, Guatemala, between February 2007 and December 2008. Report and recommendations for the mayor of San Miguel de Uspantán, Guatemala, Mister Victor Hugo Figueroa.

Fernandez, M (2008) “Concentration et intégration, deux phénomènes incompatibles? Le cas de la ville de Renens ». Concentration and integration, two incompatible phenomena? The case study of Renens. Master thesis. University of Lausanne. Lausanne. Unpublished. Website.

PhD research

"Management of natural hazards and territorial security in the environmental, political, social and cultural context of Guatemala”.

Risk management approaches are often poorly adapted to the needs of developing countries. In a given situation, for all actors, their capacities to cope and their responsibilities, both at individual and collective levels, have not been adequately incorporated into risk models. My work attempts to develop the elaboration of a typology of coping capacities and responsibilities which should lead to a better understanding of the effects and performances of risk measures. The main objective is to develop new conceptual models that determine the relation between individual and collective responsibility, coping capacity and the usual components of risk.

Secondly, my objective is to better understand the interplays and interactions between the main components of the risk management equation (Risk = Hazard * Vulnerability * Exposure) through our case study: Guatemala. My work employs multidisciplinary and empirical perspectives: political and sociological science, geography and geology. The project is expected to generate knowledge produced by geological methodologies, hazard estimation and risk representation mapping, as well as more integrated, socially based approaches. In addition, using this comparative method, the project will develop conceptual and operational models to reduce risks and increase residents’ capacity to cope. The intention is to contribute to developing clearer and more comprehensive and
relevant risk models for disaster risk professionals.

Source: the Faculty of Geosciences and Environment, University of Lausanne supports this project scientifically and financially.

Responsibility: Research leader; (PhD supervisor: Prof. Jean Ruegg).

Key words

Management of Natural Risks, coping capacity, adaptation, responsibilities, territorial vulnerabilities, governance, territorial security.