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Taster Session: Why Do We Need Humanitarians Anyway?

16 January 2025, 1:00 pm–1:50 pm

Interested in studying Global Humanitarian Studies BSc? Join Dr Lisa Guppy for an engaging exploration of humanitarian action and its crucial role in today’s world.

This event is free.

Event Information

Open to

All

Availability

Sold out

Cost

Free

Organiser

RDR Comms

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Why do we need humanitarians anyway?

by Lisa Guppy

Drawing on over a decade of field experience across Asia, Africa, the Americas and the Middle East, Lisa Guppy discusses how humanitarian work shapes global responses to crises—from natural disasters to complex emergencies. 

This taster session offers insights into topics covered in our Global Humanitarian Studies BSc, where you’ll learn about the evolving nature of humanitarian work, from immediate crisis response to long-term development solutions. It is aimed at prospective students interested in making a real difference in disaster-affected communities and understanding the complexities of international humanitarian action.

The session covers:

  • The cluster approach to humanitarian response, including food, water and sanitation, shelter and health
  • Protection services and digital humanitarianism
  • Career pathways across government, United Nations agencies, Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement, NGOs and private sector
  • How humanitarian skills transfer to other sectors
  • The impact of inequality on humanitarian needs, including in wealthy nations

Study at UCL Risk and Disaster Reduction

Interested in undergraduate or postgraduate study in risk, disaster reduction, and humanitarian action?

The RDR Virtual Taster Sessions provide prospective students with a taste of what it’s like to study in the UCL Department of Risk and Disaster Reduction (RDR). Our taster sessions are free to attend, and you can sign up for as many as you like, depending on your interest areas. Sessions are led by RDR academics, and you will have the opportunity to engage directly with our internationally renowned experts.

Apply for Global Humanitarian Studies BSc

About the Speaker

Dr Lisa Guppy

Associate Professor (Teaching) in Global Humanitarian Studies at UCL Risk and Disaster Reduction

Dr Lisa Guppy is Associate Professor (Teaching) in Global Humanitarian Studies and BSc Programme Leader at UCL. Her extensive experience includes working with United Nations (UN) organisations on humanitarian responses worldwide, from the 2004 tsunami in Sri Lanka to drought in the Horn of Africa. She specialises in the environmental and climate dimensions of disasters, with a particular focus on protracted crises and nexus solutions in fragile humanitarian settings.

More about Dr Lisa Guppy