The lecture "The 2010 Haiti Earthquake: A Story of History, Race, Inequities, and Natural Hazards" by Reginald DesRoches, Provost of Rice University, delves into the catastrophic 2010 Haiti earthquake. This disaster, which caused over 230,000 deaths and left nearly 1 million people homeless, is traced back to historical events over two centuries ago. The lecture explores how Haiti's slave rebellion against French colonial rule led to the formation of a free state, but subsequent poverty, national debt, and prejudicial trade policies resulted in vulnerable infrastructure and weak governance. These factors culminated in the devastating earthquake, highlighting how historical inequities continue to impact Haitians today.
Dr. DesRoches, an esteemed academic and researcher, has made significant contributions to civil and environmental engineering. He has published over 300 articles and led a team of experts to study the earthquake's impact. As Rice University's Provost, he advances the institution's academic and research missions, emphasizing diversity and inclusion. Dr. DesRoches has received numerous accolades, including the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers and election to the National Academy of Engineering.