UCL Town Meeting on Risk & Disaster Reduction

In an increasingly hazardous world, risk- and disaster-related activities are major growth areas. Reducing global risks and disasters presents a colossal challenge that requires coordinated and collaborative action. UCL is uniquely well-placed to provide this, with at least 70 academics across 12 departments and seven faculties involved in world-class research and practice in the field.

To maximise the impact and value of UCL activities in R&DR, we propose establishing an institute framework in order to cultivate increased and enhanced collaboration across and between disciplines. A proposal will be presented at the town meeting, at which invited speakers will summarise the range of ongoing UCL activities and opportunities for greater cooperation going forward. Presentations will be followed by an open discussion after which there will be a reception to foster informal interaction.

This meeting, supported by the UCL Grand Challenges team, is intended to bring together people from different parts of UCL who may be interested in working on one of the manifold aspects of R&DR. These include: both technological and natural-hazards and risks; management of hazards, risks and disasters; disasters and development; health, risk and disasters; perception and communication of hazards and risks; hazard and risk aspects of climate change; and financial, economic and legal aspects of hazards and risks.

This list is neither exhaustive nor prescriptive; whatever your angle of interest in R&DR, please do join us.

• Risk & Disaster Reduction Town Meeting
• G06, Roberts Building (entrance via Malet Place)
• 3.30pm, Wednesday 20 May 2009, followed by a reception
• RSVP: Tola Okogwu.

Those attending the UCL Environment Institute's Public Lecture by Lord Turner of Ecchinswell, Chairman of the Financial Services Authority (same location, 6pm) are also invited to attend the town meeting and/or the reception.