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The Department of Risk and Disaster Reduction (RDR) is one of the world’s leading research institutions focusing on disaster risk reduction for the long-term benefit of humanity.
In the 2023-24 academic year, we reviewed our research focus, drawing on UCL RDR’s existing strengths, to ensure that our work aligns with urgent global needs. We are pleased to present our six research areas:
- Climate Change and Adaptation
- Conflict and Migration
- Health and Social Risks
- Inclusion and Politics
- Natural Hazards and Risks
- Warning, Resilience and Finance
These themes enable us to address complex, interconnected problems from social, scientific and policy perspectives. Our aim is to deliver impactful research that underpins evidence-based policy and enriches our teaching programmes.
- Find out more about research at UCL Risk and Disaster Reduction
Research Projects 2023-24
Over the past year, our diverse scholars made notable progress in understanding and reducing disaster risks worldwide. We celebrated landmark funding successes and high-profile publications across our research areas.
- Reframing Arrival: Migration, Governance and Agency
Dr Estella Carpi (in collaboration with The Bartlett Development Planning Unit) is a co-investigator on the AHRC and German Research Foundation-funded project REFRAME: Reframing the Paradigm of Arrival. This transnational study examines forced migration and governance in Germany, the UK, Italy, and Turkiye, with a particular focus on Turkiye. It explores the complex choices and constraints faced by displaced communities, examining how governance shapes their experiences of arrival and settlement.
- Social Finance for Better Post-Disaster Health (SoFIT)
Dr Rozana Himaz (PI) and Dr Saman Ghaffarian (Co-I) received funding from the UK International Science Partnerships Fund, administered by the British Council, for a two-year collaboration with Indonesia’s Resilience Development Initiative. The project explores how social impact bonds can be used to improve long-term health outcomes following disasters in Indonesia.
- High-Impact Multi-Hazards Science
Led by Dr Gianluca Pescaroli, this European Space Agency (ESA) funded project explores the full potential of Earth observation satellite data to better understand complex processes leading to high-impact multi-hazards such as droughts, floods and landslides.
- Digital Twins for Early Warning
Dr Saman Ghaffarian (PI), together with Professor Ilan Kelman and Professor Fatemeh Jalayer (Co-Is), established a pioneering collaboration with the Netherlands eScience Center to explore and understand the intricacies and challenges involved in developing digital twins for disaster early warning and risk mitigation.
- Evaluating Heatwave Adaptation Policies in China
Dr Rozana Himaz leads a one-year study investigating the effectiveness of China’s High-Temperature Allowance (HTA) and Work Restriction (WR) policies. The project aims to assess how well these measures support vulnerable workers during extreme heat and their potential role in wider climate adaptation strategies.
- Human-Tech Nexus: Safe Havens for Climate Extremes
Professor Ilan Kelman's HuT project, funded by Innovate UK, is creating ‘safe havens’ for communities facing climate extremes. Spanning ten multi-hazard demonstrators across Europe, the project integrates cutting-edge disaster risk reduction technologies and collaborative approaches. It aims to improve resilience through trans-disciplinary solutions, early-warning systems, and long-term adaptation, drawing on best practices from diverse sectors. HuT’s focus on prevention, preparedness and co-production aims to deliver scalable, sustainable solutions for a changing climate.
Other projects and awards
- Water Policy and Public Engagement in Bangladesh
Professor Shams received UCL QR Policy Support funding of £10,000 for ‘WAPPEAL – Influencing Water Policy and Public Engagement in Bangladesh’ – providing new policy insights into water management and engagement strategies.
- Dynamic Urban Climate Modelling
Dr Ting Sun was awarded a grant from the UCL Centre for Advanced Research Computing (ARC) under the ‘Fostering International Collaborations in Digital Research’ initiative, in collaboration with colleagues from the US Argonne National Lab on a project titled ‘Dynamic Urban Climate Modelling Integrating Climate-Human Interactions’.
- UCL–Tohoku University Strategic Partnership
Dr Punam Yadav and Professor Joanna Faure Walker each received £10,000 from the UCL–Tohoku University Strategic Partnership for research on women’s leadership in DRR in Japan and a double PhD programme.
- Artificial Intelligence and Education
Dr Myles Harris secured a UCL ChangeMakers grant to explore AI’s impact on critical thinking in disaster research and education in collaboration with a UCL student.
- Sounding Rockets in the UK
Dr Myles Harris won funding for a knowledge exchange project with the Civil Aviation Authority, "UK Licensing of Sounding Rockets".
Advancing Impact: Knowledge Exchange and Policy Engagement
At UCL RDR, we emphasise the application of academic research to tackle real challenges facing global communities and economies. Our policy and industry engagement span local to global scales and demonstrate RDR's unique ability to translate complex research into practical guidance for decision-makers.
- Climate Policy and Global Engagement
Dr Susannah Fisher joined the Executive Group for UCL’s Climate Crisis Grand Challenge, attended COP28 in the UCL delegation and served on the World Adaptation Science Programme Working Group on adaptation effectiveness. Find out more about RDR’s engagement at COP.
- Lancet Countdown and Global Health
Dr Sonja Ayeb-Karlsson and Professor Ilan Kelman contributed to ‘The 2023 Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change’.
- Multi-hazard Risk Assessment in Dominica
Professor Peter Sammonds led a team evaluating hurricane risk in Dominica, showcasing how our research supports complex hazard analysis and policy solutions. Read Hurricane risk assessment in a multi-hazard context for Dominica in the Caribbean (2023).
- Parliamentary and Government Engagement
- Dr Yulia Ioffe provided oral evidence at the House of Commons on the forcible transfer of Ukrainian children, influencing UK foreign policy.
- Dr Sarah Dryhurst contributed to the UK government’s Prepare campaign, using her expertise in risk perception to shape public-facing communication.
- Dr Patty Kostkova was invited as an expert to a House of Commons parliamentary event on 'British biotech manufacturing: Leading the fight against mosquito-borne diseases' in response to the UKHSA report on increased risk of mosquito-borne diseases in the UK as a consequence of climate change.
- International Policy and Industry Contributions
- Dr Rozana Himaz was appointed a World Bank consultant, developing a framework for integrated household-level risk management.
- Dr Yasmine Sabri was selected to become the academic lead and board member of the Humanitarian Logistics Association, working to bridge the gap between humanitarian logistics practices and education.
- Professor Fatemeh Jalayer was elected Chair of the European Facilities for Earthquake Hazard and Risk (EFEHR) for a four-year term. EFEHR is a leading organisation that develops and maintains open-access data, models, and tools for assessing earthquake hazards and risks across Europe.
Dr Susannah Fisher was selected as one of four academics to represent UCL at the 60th session of the Subsidiary Bodies of the UNFCCC.