Branda Nowell

Advancing the state of knowledge in public administration and community resilience, Branda Nowell is a distinguished professor at the School of Public and International Affairs at North Carolina State University. With a keen focus on inter-organizational relationships and social networks, she has dedicated her career to understanding and enhancing community capacity for collaboration and coordination. Her expertise extends to adaptive capacity and disaster resilience, areas where she has made significant contributions through both research and practical applications. Professor Nowell's work is recognized for its impact and innovation, earning her accolades from the APA Society for Community Action and Research. Her research has been instrumental in shaping policies and practices that improve community responses to disasters, emphasizing the importance of robust social networks and effective inter-organizational collaboration. Her scholarly articles are widely published in leading academic journals, reflecting her commitment to advancing theoretical and practical understanding in her field. In addition to her academic pursuits, Professor Nowell has developed practical tools for assessing incident response during large-scale wildfires. These tools are designed to enhance the effectiveness of emergency response teams, ensuring that communities are better prepared and more resilient in the face of natural disasters. Her work in this area underscores her dedication to bridging the gap between research and real-world application, providing tangible benefits to communities at risk. Professor Nowell's research interests are deeply rooted in the dynamics of social networks and the mechanisms that drive successful inter-organizational relationships. Her studies often explore how these networks can be leveraged to build adaptive capacity, enabling communities to respond more effectively to challenges and changes in their environment. Her insights have been invaluable to policymakers, practitioners, and fellow researchers seeking to foster more resilient and adaptive communities. Through her teaching and mentorship at North Carolina State University, Professor Nowell inspires the next generation of public administration professionals. Her courses emphasize the importance of collaboration, innovation, and evidence-based decision-making, equipping students with the skills and knowledge necessary to address complex societal challenges. Her dedication to education and research continues to make a lasting impact on her students and the broader field of public administration.