09/02/2011 - Risk and Disaster Reduction (RDR) Teaching Forum

On Wednesday 9th February 2011 at 4.

00pm, the Institute for Risk & Disaster Reduction (IRDR) will convene a Risk & Disaster Reduction (RDR) Teaching Forum (venue to be confirmed). This first Teaching Forum is being convened to explore potential synergies in RDR-related teaching across UCL and identify new opportunities. We have immediate aims for proposing a new postgraduate programme starting in September 2012 and for optimizing student numbers on existing modules. However, we also believe there is a need to collate and distribute information for all RDR teaching by providing a web portal to potential students for all relevant UCL programmes.

Presently there are two firm RDR postgraduate teaching proposals for consideration:

• Master of Research (MRes) in RDR. This option makes use of the generic MRes programme offered by the UCL School of the Built Environment, Engineering and Mathematical and Physical Sciences (BEAMS). It allows students to 'pick-and-mix' modules to create a bespoke MRes. The IRDR would need to develop an M-level module in RDR, which would be core. This option is attractive because it would support a centre for doctoral training in RDR, which is a key objective of the IRDR.
• Postgraduate Certificate in RDR. This option would be aimed at the humanitarian and development sectors as they move towards increasing levels of professionalism. A complementary programme is already offered at UCL targeted at the insurance industry. A successful programme would be developed into an MSc programme, built primarily on existing modules, drawn from the broad range of provision found in MAPS, Engineering, the Bartlett, the Medical School, Social & Historical Sciences and Laws.

The Teaching Forum is open to lecturers and students at UCL, and beyond. The IRDR will invite practioners in RDR and recent graduates to stimulate the discussion. The Forum will be followed by a drinks reception. All persons interested in participating should contact Stephen Edwards (s.edwards@ucl.ac.uk), putting "Teaching Forum" as the subject.

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