Research in this area addresses current and future survivability,
with a focus on key themes of hazard, risk reduction, sustainable development
and resilience, all of which are oriented to providing an evidence base for
forming policy and new practices.
Work in this area focuses on key themes of hazard, risk
reduction, sustainable development and resilience oriented to providing an
evidence base for forming policy and new practices. The group has been
responsible for work in over 25 countries for multiple national and
international organisations dating back to 2000.
The approach extends to transdisciplinary approaches that
are closely linked to bringing a more people-centred framing of risk,
adaptation and disaster management for societal transitioning and
transformation. This in particular includes building the knowledge base from
projects that increase understanding of vulnerability, sustainability,
resilience, energy and health in changing human and physical environmental
conditions.
Research of the group includes closely working with the
internationally established Disaster and Development Network (DDN). Through
research, teaching and learning, the group aims to develop the knowledge and
skills to address hazards, disasters and complex emergencies including through
its advocacy.
The group has contributed to numerous key policy processes
including placing disaster risk reduction within outputs from the
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the International Strategy
for Disaster Risk Reduction, World Health Organisation and other regional,
national and global institutional contexts. Project work is also often
typically grounded within local community and household level actions.
Further examples include through the hosting of key network
and engagement actions such as those of the Gender and Disaster Network over 10
years of its expansion whilst with the Department; and through staff leadership
roles within external organisations such as Amnesty International.
Students pursuing postgraduate MSc and Doctoral Research
with this group are currently engaged in the establishment of the Disaster and
Development Society, with a UN-recognised mission to impact on global
survivability through raising the Youth Voice in disaster risk reduction goals.
Action research also focuses around communication and
disaster preparedness, community organisation of risk engagement in vulnerable
communities; humanitarian aid interventions in conflict affected communities;
public safety, environmental health and security.
Project funding has been received from the European Union,
the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), the Natural Environment
Research Council (NERC), British Council and UK Knowledge Transfer Partnerships
amongst other sources.
Disaster Management and Sustainable Development at
Northumbria has delivered over 250 MSc and doctoral students into related NGO, state,
private and academic sectors. The MSc in Disaster Management and Sustainable
Development is updated with the research of this group.
