Launch Event: UCL Warning Database Launch

About the Event

The UCL Warning Database builds on the world’s first global warnings database developed under the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) as part of their World Weather Research Programme. The HI-Weather Project developed a database of high impact weather warning case studies from around the globe that facilitates scientists and practitioners to review, analyse and learn from previous experience through the lens of the warning value chain. Whilst the project ended in 2024, the WRC is making the database publicly accessible and expanding the scope to cover a wide range of hazards, such as natural hazards and human-made threats and thereby enable aspects of multi-hazard warnings to be explored.  

The UCL Warning Database investigates detailed warning processes from significant events to smaller more localised events to enable a rich source of data about the role of warnings in managing a crisis. This data will help support research to further enhance warnings of the future and address some of the key research and practitioner questions in the field.

This database supports:

• Target G of the UNDRR Sendai Framework to ‘Substantially increase the availability of and access to multi-hazard early warning systems and disaster risk information and assessments to the people by 2030’.
• The UN led Early Warning for All Initiative
• The World Meteorological Organization ‘Catalogue of Hazardous Events’
• The UN Hazard Information Profiles

The new database includes:

• A global database of hazardous (and multi-hazardous) events with rich information covering the many components of the warning process
• Case studies and cross-cutting analysis of warnings, from simple to complex, to understand effective practices
• Overview analysis of case studies and in-depth data
• A framework to support the review process and learning from past events to identify improvements that supports Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning
• Integrates AI to analyse rich qualitative data sets to explore warnings trends globally

Hybrid Event Information

The event will take place at UCL’s campus in Bloomsbury, however the event will be hybrid, so do select an online-only ticket at checkout to join us, wherever you are in the world! Zoom links for registered attendees will be sent in good time prior to the event to the email address used when booking an online ticket.

For guests visiting us on campus, a reception will follow the event from 16:00.

Guest Speakers

Prof Carina Fearnley (Dept of Science and Technology Studies)
Dr Maryam Rokhideh (Dept of Science and Technology Studies)
Dr Ting Sun (Dept of Risk and Disaster Reduction)

Agenda

1.    Welcome: Prof Carina Fearnley
2.    Foreword: TBC
3.    Presentation Session: Dr Maryam Rokhideh – demo of the site / Dr Ting Sun – demo of the site
4.    Audience Q&A
5.    Closing remarks from Prof Carina Fearnley
6.    Reception