Michael Hooper’s research focuses on urban planning, policy and politics, with particular interest in three themes related to urban spatial transformation: displacement, disasters and densification. Much of his work has focused on the drivers and consequences of displacement, including displacement due to urban development projects and natural disasters such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Hooper has broad geographical interests, having lived, worked and conducted research in many different places, ranging from Taiwan to Tanzania. Past research projects have addressed, among other topics, forced displacement in East Africa, post-disaster reconstruction in Haiti and Montserrat, and the climate-related risks faced by unsheltered residents of North American cities.