Leading risk and disaster research at UCL
By providing a focus for UCL activities, with its breadth of disciplinary emphasis, promotion of novel multidisciplinary research and translation into practice, UCL Risk & Disaster Reduction (RDR) aims to assume a role of leadership both in the UK and internationally.
The department is in the UCL Faculty of Mathematics and Physical Sciences (MAPS), but works across all UCL faculties, spanning natural and social sciences, mathematics and statistics, engineering and development planning, global health, anthropology, the humanities, ethics and laws, and contributes to the UCL Grand Challenges.
Explore the department
Study
Explore global humanitarian crises and development challenges from multiple angles, working with researchers who are shaping policy and practice across industry and governments.
Research
We produce world-leading research in disaster risk reduction through a multidisciplinary perspective for the long-term benefit of humanity.
About us
We inspire innovation and evidence-based practice focused on improving disaster risk reduction (DRR) through our research, education, and partnerships.
People
Get information about the staff, students and professionals who make up the UCL RDR community.
Department news
UCL Risk & Disaster Reduction at New Scientist Live
Professor Joanna Faure Walker and colleagues inspired pupils at New Scientist Live with talks, panels, and hands‑on disaster preparedness activities.
21 Oct 2025
Children understand disasters better than adults think, UCL study finds
Young children show strong awareness of disaster preparedness, highlighting the need for early-life education on emergencies.
17 Oct 2025
Mental Health Vulnerability Index (MHVI): preparing for the impacts of climate change
UCL WRC welcomes a new innovative report by Rhiannon Hawkins that provides an innovative review of current strategies to monitor mental health in the context of disasters proposing novel solutions.
18 Sep 2025
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UCL Risk & Disaster Reduction
Click to email. rdr-enquiries@ucl.ac.uk Click to call. +44 (0)207 679 9507 (09507 extension)