Brent Doberstein

Brent is a Professor in the Department of Geography and Environmental Management at the University of Waterloo, and Principal Investigator of the Retreating from Risk project. Brent has over 15 years experience researching a broad array of climate change adaptation themes.

Through Brent's connection with the International Development Research Centre-funded Coastal Cities at Risk (2011-2016) project, he was involved in studies of managed retreat in coastal megacities, and examined the associated issues of social vulnerability to climate change. Brent's 2012 research on global guidelines related to climate relocation and resettlement grew into a larger multi-case research program on managed retreat for Canadian flood risk reduction. In 2020, Doberstein was project co-lead on a Natural Resources Canada Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation Division project which profiled several past cases of MR across Canada, and identified good practices related to proactive planned retreat for climate adaptation.

Brent is currently the Faculty of Environment liaison on a $15.75M CDN Global Affairs Canada-funded project, “FINCAPES: Flood Impacts, Carbon Pricing, and Ecosystem Sustainability,” which is helping Indonesia develop climate action capacity.

Brent's research experience also includes the following:

A Global Resilience Partnership project on “Development of Amphibious Homes for Marginalized and Vulnerable Populations in Vietnam” project (2017-2018)

A Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council funded project entitled “Linking Tourism, Social/Cultural Capital, and Disaster Recovery: Comparative Perspectives From Nepal, Indonesia, and the Philippines” (2020-2025)

The Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions’ “Coastal Adaptation: Living with Water” project (2021-2025).

• hazards

• disasters

• climate change adaptation

• disaster risk reduction

• disaster recovery

Brent Doberstein is a scholar in hazards, disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation, and environmental management, with a focus on developing countries. His research explores community resilience, adaptive governance, climate-related resettlement and managed retreat, and sustainable recovery strategies in vulnerable regions. He has conducted fieldwork in countries such as Indonesia, Vietnam, Nepal, and the Philippines, collaborating with local organizations and institutions. His work has been featured in journals like Natural Hazards, Journal of Environmental Management, Climate and Development, Disasters, and the International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, contributing to applied, community-based solutions for global challenges. He is the PI on a $2.5m CDN NFRF-I funded project called "Retreating From Risk" which runs 2024 to 2029: https://uwaterloo.ca/retreating-from-risk/

• Ph.D.: Community and Regional Planning, University of British Columbia

• M.A.: Geography, University of Waterloo

• B.Sc. Honours (summa cum laude): Geography-Resource Studies, University of Alberta

• 2026 University of Waterloo Distinguished Teacher Award

• 2025 Faculty of Environment Outstanding Performance Award

• 2025 Faculty of Environment Teaching Award

• 2024 Canadian Association of Geographers’ Teaching Award

• GEOG 101 - Human Geographies: People, Space and Change
  • Taught in 2021, 2022, 2023, 2025, 2026
• GEOG 306 - Human Dimensions of Natural Hazards
  • Taught in 2023
• GEOG 356 - Resources Management
  • Taught in 2022, 2023
• GEOG 430A - Field Research in Regional Geography
  • Taught in 2023
• GEOG 430B - Field Research in Regional Geography
  • Taught in 2023
• GEOG 430C - Field Research in Regional Geography
  • Taught in 2023
• GEOG 677 - Climate Change, Natural Hazards and Disaster Risk Reduction
  • Taught in 2022, 2024, 2025
• GEOG 692 - International Study
  • Taught in 2023
• GEOG 700A - Geographic Scholarship and Practice 1 - Master's
  • Taught in 2025
• GEOG 700B - Geographic Scholarship and Practice 2 - Master's
  • Taught in 2026
• GEOG 800A - Geographic Scholarship and Practice 1 - Doctoral
  • Taught in 2025
• GEOG 800B - Geographic Scholarship and Practice 2 - Doctoral
  • Taught in 2026

* Only courses taught in the past 5 years are displayed.

• Qoiriyah L.F.R., Suriadi, Dityo G.C., Bachtiar W., Doberstein B., and Marfai M.A., Managing flood risks in Surakarta, Indonesia: Historical insights, policy response, and stakeholder roles in implementing manage, Iop Conference Series Earth and Environmental Science, Volume 127, Indonesia, 2026.

• Anagnostou M., and Doberstein B., Countering organised wildlife trafficking: insights from law enforcement personnel on challenges and opportunities, Trends in Organized Crime, United Kingdom, 2026.

• Cross B., Doberstein B., and Lueck V., Improving economic assessment and decision-making for managed retreat through CBA+: a targeted literature review, Frontiers in Climate, Volume 7, Canada, 2025.

• Barr S., Lemieux C.J., and Doberstein B., Knowledge mobilization, wildfire risk, and sustainable tourism in UNESCO biosphere reserves, Tourism Geographies, Canada, 2025.

• Cottar S., Henstra D., Thistlethwaite J., Doberstein B., and Wandel J., Navigating land use after managed retreat: decisions facing local governments in the post-buyout environment, Environmental Hazards, Canada, 2025.

• de Scally D., and Doberstein B., Local knowledge in climate change adaptation in the Cook Islands, Climate and Development, Volume 14, 360-373, Canada, 2022.

• Mills B., Andrey J., Doherty S., Doberstein B., and Yessis J., Winter storms and fall-related injuries: Is it safer to walk than to drive?, Weather Climate and Society, Volume 12, 421-434, Canada, 2020.

• Harrison S., Silver A., and Doberstein B., Post-storm damage surveys of tornado hazards in Canada: Implications for mitigation and policy, International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, Volume 13, 427-440, Canada, 2015.

• Tanner A., and Doberstein B., Emergency preparedness amongst university students, International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, Volume 13, 409-413, Canada, 2015.

• Joakim E., and Doberstein B., Planning for long-term housing reconstruction following a major disaster: A case study of the 2006 Yogyakarta (Indonesia) Earthq, Journal of the American Planning Association, Volume 80, 352-353, United Kingdom, 2015.

• Tadgell A., Doberstein B., and Morstch L., An examination of managed retreat as an adaptation strategy to climate change: A case study of resettlement in Metro Manila, Phi, Proceedings of the 5th International Disaster and Risk Conference Integrative Risk Management the Role of Science Technology and Practice Idrc Davos 2014, 695-698, Canada, 2015.

• Joakim E., and Doberstein B., Policy Recommendations for Reducing Vulnerability to Disasters in Canada: Perspectives From Practitioners in Waterloo Region, On, Risk Hazards and Crisis in Public Policy, Volume 4, 274-291, Canada, 2015.

• Doberstein B., and Stager H., Towards guidelines for post-disaster vulnerability reduction in informal settlements, Disasters, Volume 37, 28-47, Canada, 2015.

• Oulahen G., and Doberstein B., Citizen Participation in Post-disaster Flood Hazard Mitigation Planning in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada, Risk Hazards and Crisis in Public Policy, Volume 3, 1-26, Canada, 2015.

• Steckley M., and Doberstein B., Tsunami survivors' perspectives on vulnerability and vulnerability reduction: Evidence from Koh Phi Phi Don and Khao Lak, Thaila, Disasters, Volume 35, 465-487, Canada, 2015.

• Geng Y., Zhu Q., Doberstein B., and Fujita T., Implementing China's circular economy concept at the regional level: A review of progress in Dalian, China, Waste Management, Volume 29, 996-1002, China, 2015.

• Geng Y., and Doberstein B., Developing the circular economy in China: Challenges and opportunities for achieving 'leapfrog development', International Journal of Sustainable Development and World Ecology, Volume 15, 231-239, China, 2015.

• Geng Y., and Doberstein B., Greening government procurement in developing countries: Building capacity in China, Journal of Environmental Management, Volume 88, 932-938, China, 2015.

• Kirchhoff D., Montano M., Ranieri V.E.L., de Oliveira I.S.D., Doberstein B., and de Souza M.P., Limitations and drawbacks of using Preliminary Environmental Reports (PERs) as an input to Environmental Licensing in São Paulo, Environmental Impact Assessment Review, Volume 27, 301-318, Canada, 2015.

• Kirchhoff D., and Doberstein B., Pipeline risk assessment and risk acceptance criteria in the State of São Paulo, Brazil, Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal, Volume 24, 221-234, Canada, 2015.

• Devin S., and Doberstein B., Traditional ecological knowledge in parks management: A Canadian perspective, Environments, Volume 32, 47-69, Canada, 2015.

• Tadgell A., Doberstein B., and Mortsch L., Principles for climate-related resettlement of informal settlements in less developed nations: a review of resettlement literatu, Climate and Development, Volume 10, 102-115, Canada.

• Tadgell A., Mortsch L., and Doberstein B., Assessing the feasibility of resettlement as a climate change adaptation strategy for informal settlements in Metro Manila, Phil, International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, Volume 22, 447-457, Canada.

• Mills B., Andrey J., Doberstein B., Doherty S., and Yessis J., Changing patterns of motor vehicle collision risk during winter storms: A new look at a pervasive problem, Accident Analysis and Prevention, Volume 127, 186-197, Canada.

• Aspinall A., Cukier J., and Doberstein B., Quality of life assessments and social sustainability: Ski tourism development in invermere, British Columbia, Journal of Environmental Assessment Policy and Management, Volume 13, 179-201, Canada.

• Bishwokarma D., Nepal S.K., Doberstein B., O'Connell E., and McCordic C., The influence of social capital and tourism on post-disaster recovery: A review of global evidence, Environmental Management, Volume 76, Canada.

• Anagnostou M., Doberstein B., Armitage D., Stoett P., and Glasson A., Disentangling and demystifying converging crimes and illegal wildlife trade in South Africa, Hong Kong, and Canada, Journal of Economic Criminology, Volume 10, Canada.

• Jones D.M., Doyon A., and Doberstein B., Growing pains: identifying enabling conditions for a nature-based coastal climate adaptation project in British Columbia, Canada, Regional Environmental Change, Volume 25, Canada.

• Anagnostou M., and Doberstein B., Exotic pet trade in Canada: The influence of social media on public sentiment and behaviour, Journal for Nature Conservation, Volume 77, Canada.

• Williamson C., McCordic C., and Doberstein B., The compounding impacts of Cyclone Idai and their implications for urban inequality, International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, Volume 86, Canada.

• Anagnostou M., Gunn V., Nibbs O., Muntaner C., and Doberstein B., An international scoping review of rangers’ precarious employment conditions, Environment Systems and Decisions, Volume 42, 479-503, Canada.

• Haque C.E., Berkes F., Fernandez-Llamazares A., Ross H., Chapin III F.S., Doberstein B., Reed M.G., Agrawal N., Nayak P.K., Etkin D., Dore M., and Hutton D., Social learning for enhancing social-ecological resilience to disaster-shocks: a policy Delphi approach, Disaster Prevention and Management an International Journal, Volume 31, 335-348, Canada.

• Anagnostou M., and Doberstein B., Illegal wildlife trade and other organised crime: A scoping review, Ambio, Volume 51, 1615-1631, Canada.

• O'Connell E.P., and Doberstein B., Settlement and shelter reconstruction, Routledge Handbook of Environmental Hazards and Society, 534-549, Canada.

• Jones D.M., and Doberstein B., Encouraging co-benefits in climate-affected hazard adaptation: Developing and testing a scorecard for project design and evaluat, International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, Volume 74, Canada.

• Zen I.S., Uddin M.S., Al-Amin A.Q., Majid M.R.B., Almulhim A.I., and Doberstein B., Socioeconomics determinants of household carbon footprint in Iskandar Malaysia, Journal of Cleaner Production, Volume 127, Malaysia.

• Anagnostou M., Moreto W.D., Gardner C.J., and Doberstein B., Poverty, Pandemics, and Wildlife Crime, Conservation and Society, Volume 19, 294-306, Canada.

• Choudhury M.-U.-I., Emdad Haque C., and Doberstein B., Adaptive governance and community resilience to cyclones in coastal Bangladesh: Addressing the problem of fit, social learning, , Environmental Science and Policy, Volume 124, 580-592, Canada.

• Cottar S., Doberstein B., Henstra D., and Wandel J., Evaluating property buyouts and disaster recovery assistance (Rebuild) options in Canada: A comparative analysis of Constance Ba, Natural Hazards, Volume 109, 201-220, Canada.

• Zen I.S., Al-Amin A.Q., Alam M.M., and Doberstein B., Magnitudes of households’ carbon footprint in Iskandar Malaysia: Policy implications for sustainable development, Journal of Cleaner Production, Volume 127, Malaysia.

• Uddin M.S., Haque C.E., Khan M.N., Doberstein B., and Cox R.S., “Disasters threaten livelihoods, and people cope, adapt and make transformational changes”: Community resilience and livelih, International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, Volume 63, Canada.

• Huot D., Doberstein B., and Mitchell C., Tenuous refuge: Probing links between (Il)legality of urban refugees in Kenya, refugee supports, and host country integration, Challenges of Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons in Africa, 161-174, United States.

• Al-Amin A.Q., Masud M.M., Kabir Sarkar M.S., Filho W.L., and Doberstein B., Analysing the socioeconomic and motivational factors affecting the willingness to pay for climate change adaptation in Malaysia, International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, Volume 50, Canada.

• Al-Amin A.Q., Kabir Sarkar M.D.S., Ahmed A., and Doberstein B., COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS of EMISSION REDUCTION TARGETS TOWARD INDC IMPLEMENTATION in MALAYSIA, INDONESIA and THAILAND by 2050, Climate Change Economics, Volume 11, Canada.

• Doberstein B., Tadgell A., and Rutledge A., Managed retreat for climate change adaptation in coastal megacities: A comparison of policy and practice in Manila and Vancouver, Journal of Environmental Management, Volume 127, Canada.

• Zen I.S., Al-Amin A.Q., and Doberstein B., Mainstreaming climate adaptation and mitigation policy: Towards multi-level climate governance in Melaka, Malaysia, Urban Climate, Volume 30, Malaysia.

• Al-Amin A.Q., and Doberstein B., Introduction of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles: prospects and challenges for Malaysia’s transition to a low-carbon economy, Environmental Science and Pollution Research, Volume 26, 31062-31076, United States.

• Al-Amin A.Q., Nagy G.J., Masud M.M., Filho W.L., and Doberstein B., Evaluating the impacts of climate disasters and the integration of adaptive flood risk management, International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, Volume 39, Canada.

• Doberstein B., Fitzgibbons J., and Mitchell C., Protect, accommodate, retreat or avoid (PARA): Canadian community options for flood disaster risk reduction and flood resilience, Natural Hazards, Volume 98, 31-50, Canada.

• Eger S., and Doberstein B., Shared governance arrangements and social connectivity: advancing large-scale coastal and marine conservation initiatives in the, International Journal of Sustainable Development and World Ecology, Volume 26, 210-225, Canada.