º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ the Chair

Disasters are increasingly frequent and severe, owing to climate change and ever more complex human-landscape interactions. Death tolls and economic impacts (percentage of national GDP) from natural hazard-induced disasters are greatest in low-to-middle income countries (LMICs). Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) is central to the UN’s sustainable development agenda, driven by the Sendai Framework for DRR 2015-2030.

We work with LMIC partners and stakeholders to co-develop fit-for-purpose solutions for multi-hazard risk management to achieve effective DRR, with a focus on multiple hydro-geohazards and their attendant cascading hazard chains (e.g., floods, landslides, erosion, debris flows). The Chair will establish and sustain an integrated, interdisciplinary research, education/training, and capacity enhancement programme that includes: 

  1. Working with in-country partners to identify research needs and co-develop knowledge and tools for effective DRR.
  2. Establishing an International Research Network in Informatics and DRR (INIDRR) to foster interdisciplinary collaboration, share resources and knowledge, and ensure effective knowledge transfer and capacity development.
  3. Adapting existing and creating new education programmes, including PhD and MSc programmes, and fit-for-purpose training courses, to train the next generation of researchers and professionals to support DRR research and practice, particularly in LMICs.