Pascal Haegeli

Education

• MSc, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology ETHZ, Zurich, Switzerland
  
• PhD, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC

Biography

Dr. Pascal Haegeli is a renowned expert in avalanche safety research working on projects in Canada and worldwide. His primary research and development interests lie at the interface between the natural and social sciences and his objective is to conduct interdisciplinary research and develop evidence-based tools that assist backcountry recreationists and avalanche professionals to make better informed decision when preparing for and travelling in avalanche terrain. To address these challenges, Dr. Haegeli and his research team employ approaches and methods from a wide variety of fields including atmospheric science, snow science, geography, GIS, risk analysis, decision-making science, communication, psychology, sociology, accident analysis, public health and medicine.

Some of the highlights of his research and development activities include the development of the Avaluator, a decision aid for amateur recreationists travelling in avalanche terrain, an examination of the effectiveness of avalanche airbags and the complete redesign of the InfoEx, the daily information exchange among Canadian avalanche safety operations. Based on his professional and volunteer activities within the Canadian and international avalanche communities over the last decade, he has an extensive professional network abroad as well as long-standing and strong relationships with all of the Canadian stakeholders.

Selection of recent publications

• Shandro, B., and Haegeli, P. (2018). Characterizing the nature and variability of avalanche hazard in western Canada. Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences, 18, 1141-1158. doi:10.5194/nhess-18-1141-2018
• Thumlert, S., and Haegeli, P. (2018). Describing the severity of avalanche terrain numerically using the observed terrain selection practices of professional guides. Natural Hazards, 91(1), 89-115. doi:10.1007/s11069-017-3113-y
• Statham, G., Haegeli, P., Greene, E., Birkeland, K. W., Israelson, C., Tremper, B.,…Kelly, J. (2018). A conceptual model of avalanche hazard. Natural Hazards, 90(2), 663-691. doi:10.1007/s11069-017-3070-5
• Van Tilburg, Ch., Grissom, C., Zafren, K., McIntosh, S., Radwin, M.I., Paal, P., Haegeli, P., Smith, W.R., Wheeler, A.R., Weber, D., Tremper, B., and Brugger, H. (2017). Wilderness Medical Society Practice Guidelines for Prevention and Management of Avalanche and Non-Avalanche Snow Burial Accidents. Wilderness and Environmental Medicine, 28, 23-42. doi: 10.1016/j.wem.2016.10.004.
• Haegeli, P. and Pröbstl-Haider, U. (2016). Research on personal risk in outdoor recreation and nature-based tourism. Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism, 13, 1-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jort.2016.02.001
• Garner, J., Haegeli, P., and Haider, W. (2016). The effect of heads-up-display (HUD) goggles on skiing and snowboarding speeds. Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism, 13, 79-90. doi: 10.1016/j.jort.2016.01.001
• Johnson, J., Haegeli, P., Hendrikx, J., and Savage, S. (2016). Accident causes and organizational culture among avalanche professionals. Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism, 13, 49-56. doi: 10.1016/j.jort.2015.11.003.
• Haegeli, P., and Schweizer, J. (2015). Recent developments in applied snow and avalanche research. Cold Regions Science and Technology, 120, 153-156. doi: 10.1016/j.coldregions.2015.09.008.
• Haegeli, P., Falk, M., Procter, E., Zweifel, B., Jarry, F., Logan, S., Biskupič, M., Kronholm, K., and Brugger H. (2014). The effectiveness of avalanche airbags. Resuscitation, 85(9), 1197-203. doi: 10.1016/j.resuscitation.2014.05.025.
• Zweifel, B., and Haegeli, P. (2014). A qualitative analysis of group formation, leadership and decision making in recreation groups traveling in avalanche terrain. Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism. 5-6, 17-26. doi: 10.1016/j.jort.2014.03.001.
• Haegeli, P., Gunn, M., and Haider, W. (2012). Identifying a high-risk cohort in a complex and dynamic risk environment: Out-of-bounds skiing—an example from avalanche safety. Prevention Science, 13(6), 562-573. doi: 10.1007/s11121-012-0282-5.
• Haegeli, P., Falk, M., Boyd, J., Brugger, H., and Etter, H.-J. (2011). Comparison of avalanche survival patterns in Canada and Switzerland. Canadian Medical Association Journal, 183(7), 789-795. doi: 10.1503/cmaj.101435.
• Haegeli, P., Haider, W., Longland, M., and Beardmore, B. (2010). Decision-Making in Avalanche Terrain - Testing the Effect of a Decision Aid for Trip Planning with a Stated Choice Survey. Natural Hazards, 52(1), 185-209. doi: 10.1007/s11069-009-9365-4.

Dr. Haegeli teaches Global Change (REM 100).