Robert Hines

Robert Hines is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science and Public Administration at UNC Charlotte. His research examines how local governments manage climate change adaptation, with a focus on sea level rise planning in coastal communities.

Key research areas:

• Decision-making under climate uncertainty
• Municipal flood risk management strategies
• Budgetary responses to environmental threats
• Barriers to coastal adaptation implementation

His work analyzes policy development processes across southeastern U.S. states, investigating how risk perception, institutional capacity, and fiscal constraints shape adaptation planning. Dr. Hines employs mixed-methods approaches combining geospatial analysis, surveys of public officials, and case studies.