Peter Stempel

Peter Stempel is an Associate Professor in the Department of Landscape Architecture at Pennsylvania State University, with cofunding from the Penn State Institute of Energy and the Environment. He is affiliated with the Water Faculty Initiative and Ecology Plus Design: E+D initiative. His research focuses on leveraging realistic visualizations for hazard communication and public engagement, particularly in coastal resilience contexts. He collaborates with interdisciplinary teams on projects for the National Park Service and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Coastal Resilience Center of Excellence.

Stempel’s work integrates physical models (e.g., hydrodynamic simulations) with stakeholder-derived qualitative data to enhance decision-support tools. His applied research is complemented by social science studies on visualization practices and their societal impacts. Recent projects include storm surge modeling for Rhode Island’s critical infrastructure and participatory approaches to emergency management systems.

His research trends emphasize coastal hazards, climate change adaptation, and the ethical use of visualization technologies. Key themes include barrier system dynamics, flood vulnerability assessment, and cross-cultural adaptation strategies. He has contributed to over 20 peer-reviewed articles since 2019, focusing on technical modeling, stakeholder engagement, and policy implications.

Stempel’s interdisciplinary collaborations span environmental engineering, social science, and public policy. He has secured grants from the Institutes of Energy and the Environment (IEE) and led initiatives addressing equitable community engagement in climate resilience planning.