Ricardo Sebastián Fuentealba Fuentes

Ricardo Sebastián Fuentealba Fuentes is an Assistant Professor at the Institute of Social Sciences, University of O'Higgins, with a PhD in Social Sciences from the University of Amsterdam. His academic work bridges sociology, human geography, and international development, focusing on critical analyses of disaster risk, social inequality, and urban governance.

His research interests include:

• Social and spatial inequality in disaster contexts
• Political economy of development and risk governance
• Critical perspectives on environmental justice
• Urban margins and disaster memory politics
• Interdisciplinary approaches to socio-natural disasters

Analysis of his 11 recent publications (2019-2025) reveals a consistent focus on how social movements, particularly Chile's 2019 social uprising, intersect with disaster governance. His work increasingly emphasizes epistemic justice in disaster studies, challenging traditional knowledge hierarchies and advocating for liberated approaches that center marginalized voices. Geographic focus remains primarily on Chile with growing comparative Latin American perspectives.

As Principal Investigator of multiple ANID-funded projects, he leads research on:

• Just resilience in post-social unrest Chile
• Interdisciplinary risk governance
• Territorial social science approaches to disasters
• Urban noise perception in post-pandemic contexts

His editorial work with Disaster Prevention and Management journal demonstrates commitment to inclusive publishing practices and emerging voices in the field. Current collaborations span Chilean institutions (University of Chile), European partners (University of Amsterdam, University of Copenhagen), and practical engagement with SENAPRED O'Higgins through the Geological Hazards Table.