LA GRANDE — An Eastern Oregon University associate professor who’s studied the effectiveness of avalanche education will speak about her research Thursday, Dec. 5 in La Grande.

EOU’s Kelly McNeil will speak at 5 p.m. at Side A Brewing, 1219 Washington Ave. in La Grande.

Her presentation is titled “A Public Health Approach to Avalanche Safety Messaging Through Understanding Behaviors after Participation in Avalanche Courses and Risk Management Trends in U.S. Backcountry Avalanche Fatalities.”

McNeil’s research highlights how avalanche education influences individual behaviors while traveling in the backcountry. The research examines individuals’ behaviors before and after an avalanche course and trends in avalanche fatalities over 50 years.

A study of more than 1,600 participants surveyed weeks, months, and years after completing recreational avalanche courses revealed that graduates of those courses significantly improved their skills in using avalanche forecasts, planning safer routes, and managing group dynamics. Critical safety practices, such as checking equipment and planning terrain travel, also became more consistent over time.

Her second key area analyzed 50 years of fatal avalanche accidents to identify trends in risk mitigation such as rescue equipment use, route choices, and group dynamics. While transceiver and airbag use has increased, issues like avoiding terrain traps and traveling solo remain persistent concerns.

An earlier version of this article misidentified Kelly McNeil, the Eastern Oregon University professor who will be speaking Thursday at Side A Brewing in La Grande. The story has been corrected.