Ann Arbor Times

From Nepal to North Carolina, climate disasters have left communities devastated and survivors without homes. In 2024, a glacial lake outburst flood in Thame, Nepal, and Hurricane Helene in western North Carolina caused significant landslides and flooding. These events displaced residents and destroyed communities.

Stephanie Smith, the recipient of the 2025 Raoul Wallenberg Fellowship at the University of Michigan, is focused on addressing these challenges. She noted the similarities between these crises highlight the increasing impact of climate change on disaster response efforts globally and in the U.S.

“While GLOFs and hurricanes are different events, they share a common factor: both are becoming more frequent and severe due to climate change,” Smith said. “The past year’s devastation makes it clear—we must do more to prepare."

Smith is completing her senior year in the LSA Honors Program while also pursuing an accelerated master’s program at the School for Environment and Sustainability. With support from SEAS faculty, she will take a one-year leave to pursue her fellowship before returning to complete her studies.

Smith plans to use her $25,000 Wallenberg award for a comparative case study on climate disaster communication related to flooding. Her research will begin in North Carolina in September and continue in Nepal around December.

“I aim to live alongside members of these communities who have faced climate-related natural disasters,” Smith said. “In doing remediation work...I will be able to understand what each community knew...and what resources may have made the event less destructive.”

Smith has been passionate about climate change and water issues throughout her undergraduate years. She has taught youth about hydrological systems through outdoor education organizations and designed courses on local water concerns for first-year students.

Her experiences have strengthened her ability to engage diverse audiences on environmental issues. After studying abroad last year, Smith's desire expanded beyond Ann Arbor.

“My time away from Ann Arbor prompted me to think more concretely about the change I wanted to affect in the world,” she said.

In each community she visits, Smith hopes to connect with individuals willing to share their experiences with climate-related disasters through various forms such as recordings or artwork. She aims to create an archive that fosters connection across global communities facing similar challenges.

Alongside this collection, Smith plans to develop a model identifying key gaps in disaster communication which could aid future preparedness efforts.

“It is possible that community members will not choose to share anything at all with me,” she said. “In this case...I will have lent a hand toward rebuilding...It will be an honor...under Raoul Wallenberg’s fellowship.”