UCL’s Institute for Risk and Disaster Reduction (IRDR) has officially changed its name to the Department of Risk and Disaster Reduction (RDR). The announcement was made by Professor Joanna Faure Walker, Head of Department, at the 14th Annual Conference held on Tuesday, 25 June 2024.
This new name reflects the department’s role within UCL as a leading hub for interdisciplinary research, education and public engagement in risk, disaster resilience and humanitarian response globally.
Commenting on the name change, Prof Faure Walker, said:
We are delighted that our new name officially reflects our status as an academic department at UCL which became effective back in 2020.This recognition highlights our contributions to the university’s mission and emphasises our role as part of the wider UCL community. While our name has changed, our commitment to tackling pertinent global challenges facing risk, disaster and humanitarianism is resolute. We look forward to deepening our cross-university collaboration and external partnerships to make a real difference.
The department offers undergraduate and postgraduate (taught and research) degree programmes in humanitarian studies, risk reduction, disaster science and resilience.
Notice to stakeholders
Our name is gradually being updated on different internal and external systems. Please bear with us as we implement the department’s name change.
More information
- Read the 2024 conference report
- Global Humanitarian Studies BSc
- View our Master’s programmes
- Explore PhD study in the department
Image: Prof Joanna Faure Walker speaking at the department’s annual conference in June 2024
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