Hiromi Akiyama is a consultant at the World Bank in the field of disaster risk management. She studies comparative disaster management and recovery, primarily focusing on how the relationship between civil society and governments play out in the process of community recovery after major disasters across countries. In collaboration with the Program on Crisis Leadership at Harvard Kennedy School, Akiyama has conducted research since the summer of 2012 on Japan’s disaster response and recovery after the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami.
A native of Japan, she holds a Ph.D. in political science from George Mason University, a master’s degree in Asia Pacific Studies from the University of Leeds, U.K., and a bachelor’s degree in International Studies from Soka University of America. She has previously taught at George Mason University, American University, and Northeastern University.