International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health | An Interview with the Author—Prof. Dr. Courtney Cronley

Name: Prof. Dr. Courtney Cronley
Affiliation: College of Social Work, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
Interests: experiences of women, youth, and families in situations of homelessness; housing insecurity; health disparities; social determinants of health

Published Paper:
“Persons Experiencing Homelessness during Extreme Temperatures: Lessons for Promoting Socially Inclusive Adaptive Capacity”
by Courtney Cronley, Amanda Fackler, Jennifer M. First, Sangwon Lee and Iris Tsouris
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(8), 984; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21080984

The following is an interview with Prof. Dr. Courtney Cronley:

1. Could you briefly introduce yourself to our readers? Could you introduce your current research direction and provide an update on your progress?

I'm a professor in the College of Social Work at the University of Tennessee, and my research focuses on equity within the built environment. The built environment includes all the man-made infrastructure that shapes our society. My primary interest is in equity within our housing and transportation systems, specifically how access to affordable, quality housing and transportation resources affects people's ability to thrive and access essential goods and services.

The United States has a long history, particularly in the 20th century, of using practices like redlining to create structural disparities along racial lines. As a result, black, indigenous, and communities of color are less likely to live in areas with high-quality housing and are more likely to be in food deserts, healthcare deserts, and areas with lower-quality education and healthcare. Our transportation systems have often reinforced these disparities, with physical barriers like highways dividing predominantly African American communities from white ones, making it difficult for those without personal vehicles to access necessary resources.

These redlined communities also tend to have higher concentrations of environmental hazards, leading to increased health risks. My research examines how the built environment can put people at higher risk for environmental hazards and poor health. One particularly vulnerable group is people experiencing homelessness, who lack access to permanent housing and are often exposed to the elements, relying heavily on public transportation.

The paper I published focuses on how people living outside in the Southeast U.S. navigate their communities during extreme weather conditions to access shelter and relief. I found that the infrastructure in these areas often lacks the adaptive capacity to protect people from extreme temperatures. Public spaces that could offer relief, such as parks with tree canopies or benches, are often heavily policed, leaving people with few options other than huddling under bridges, which can lead to dangerous conditions. The study also highlighted the chronic exposure to less extreme, but still challenging, temperatures. For instance, in Knoxville, where the study took place, people experiencing homelessness have access to daytime shelter only when temperatures reach certain thresholds, like 32°F or 90°F. However, if the temperature stays at 43°F for an extended period, these individuals are exposed to the elements day and night without relief, which can be unbearable. This has led me to consider how we define risk, particularly in the context of extreme heat. Current definitions often reflect the perspectives of housed individuals, but for those without housing, the chronic exposure to even moderate temperatures can significantly heighten their risk.

2. What do you think is the biggest challenge currently in your area of research?

Considering my research, the most commonly cited barrier and challenge is access to affordable housing. This is a critical issue, as the lack of access to affordable, quality housing is the common denominator in homelessness. While various behavioral health factors can increase the risk of homelessness, the underlying issue remains the shortage of affordable housing.

In the context of a warming climate, the problems associated with the lack of housing are becoming more acute, particularly concerning health. Being without permanent shelter is incredibly detrimental to one’s health; it’s likely one of the highest risks for poor health outcomes. Humans need shelter—it’s a basic necessity. However, in American communities, where there is no guaranteed right to housing and it’s left to the private market, it becomes challenging.

Developers, who are in the business of building housing, often lack incentives to build affordable housing because it’s costly, and the profits are much lower compared to market-rate housing, which can be four or five times as expensive. Without a guaranteed right to housing in the United States, the private market will never meet the demand for affordable housing, particularly for those living at or below the poverty level.

3. Which research topics do you think will be of particular interest to the research community in the coming years?

I think climate change is increasingly becoming a critical area of study, but there’s surprisingly little research on homelessness and climate change—only a couple dozen studies exist. This is an emerging field, and more attention is likely to be drawn to it as the impacts of climate change become more apparent.

For instance, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is already hosting webinars on how to address extreme weather and the need for more daytime shelters. However, there are currently no comprehensive policies within HUD specifically addressing the health impacts of climate change on individuals experiencing homelessness. This is a significant gap that will likely lead to important policy recommendations as more empirical evidence on the physical, mental, and behavioral health impacts of climate change emerges.

One area that has been understudied is the nexus between climate change and behavioral health. In my research, I’ve found that as winters become more inclement—not necessarily colder, but wetter—people experiencing homelessness often find themselves confined to their tents. This confinement can lead to boredom and anxiety, which some individuals cope with through activities like adult coloring books or reading. However, when those distractions run out, cravings for substances can set in. People have reported using substances as a coping mechanism in extreme weather, whether it’s too hot to sleep, too cold, or they’re isolated for extended periods.

Looking ahead, I think artificial intelligence will play a role in this field as well. AI-driven climate models could help better predict extreme weather and redefine what constitutes extreme weather for different populations, whether housed or unhoused. Currently, there’s no effective way to warn people living in camps about impending extreme weather because they often lack cell phones and live off the grid. Developing mechanisms to inform and protect these vulnerable populations is crucial.

So, in summary, the impacts of climate change on physical, mental, and behavioral health, policy recommendations, community responses, and the role of AI in predictive modeling and outreach to hard-to-reach populations are all critical areas of focus moving forward.

4. Do you have any advice for aspiring young researchers looking to make a meaningful impact in their respective fields?

I would say that collecting primary data is one of the best approaches. When you talk to people and hear their stories, many of your assumptions can be dispelled, refined, or changed. This firsthand insight gives you a deeper understanding of the issues. Seeing the conditions people are living in—whether it's without permanent shelter, in crumbling affordable housing, or after being evicted—provides invaluable perspective. Experiencing situations like standing at a bus stop in 90-degree heat with cars speeding by, because public transportation is the only option, further illustrates the challenges people face. In addition to collecting data, I strongly recommend reading extensively. The more you read about what others are doing, the better you'll understand the direction of the research and the field as a whole. These are the two best pieces of advice I can offer.

5. What is your impression of the publishing experience with the IJERPH journal?

I thought the experience was quite positive. The journal and I went back and forth on revisions, and I appreciated their commitment to pushing me to produce the most critically thoughtful piece possible. This demonstrated a genuine dedication to the peer review process rather than a profit-driven publishing approach.

6. What is your opinion of the open access model of publishing?

I believe the open access publishing model, combined with rigorous peer review, represents the gold standard for the future of scholarly communication. Information should not be restricted by privilege or positionality, ensuring that everyone has access. However, this doesn’t mean that just anyone should be able to publish anything and claim it as science. Peer review is crucial because it ensures that what is published is rigorous, valid, honest, and critically evaluated. While mistakes can still occur, the peer review process provides a necessary framework for maintaining the quality of scholarship. Therefore, rigorous peer review within an open access framework is likely the best model for the future of science.