Project Grant 2223710

This $200,000 project grant from the National Science Foundation's Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences program will fund research on supporting an environmentally friendly and inclusive recovery of coastal communities dependent on tourism. Specifically, the University of Massachusetts will conduct case studies in Costa Rica, Germany, Scotland, and the United States to assess the environmental and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on these regions. The research will evaluate which aspects of tourism communities prefer to recover from, factors that support resilient and inclusive development, and determinants of socioeconomic performance. Additionally, the project includes training early career researchers. The results will inform policies to mitigate pandemic consequences for coastal communities and establish equitable, sustainable post-pandemic development, positioning the U.S. as a leader in climate-friendly growth. The award period is from June 1, 2022 through May 31, 2025.