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The UCLHC has been a pioneer in enabling humanitarian and development agencies to engage with the science, research and business know how needed to improve disaster risk reduction and natural resource management. For years it has led the way through the development of research and knowledge exchange initiatives and the application of scientific models, all of which are now being strongly advocated by the United Nations and national governments. Our work in this area has increased significantly since 2006 as summarised here:
CAFOD Partnership
In 2008 the UCLHC established an innovative research and knowledge sharing partnership between UCL and the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD) to collaborate on disaster risk reduction and adaptation to environmental change. For UCL, the partnership means that research and teaching are informed by the knowledge and needs of practitioners and policy experts, and that research is designed to have demonstrable impact. For CAFOD the partnership permits access to some of the world’s leading experts in disaster risk reduction, natural hazards, natural resource management and climate and environmental change. The partnership has been showcased by ELRHA as an example of best practice of effective engagement between humanitarian and development agencies and academia.
Partnership projects with the UCLHC are:
- 2009–2014. Multi-hazard Assessments for Building Resilient Communities in the Philippines.
- 2012–2015. Water Risk and its Management in Bolivia’s Altiplano Development Strategy.
- 2013–2016. Living with Mine Waste: Developing a Decision-making Tool for Reducing Water Contamination Risk.
- 2013–2016. Environmental Impacts and Risks to Natural Resources from Mega-dams in the Amazon Basin: a Study of the Proposed Cachuela Esperanza Dam, Northeast Bolivia.
Advisory Roles
The UCLHC has advised on many programmes and initiatives, including:
- 2007–2010 the UK Higher Education Disaster Relief Project and subsequent programme on Enhancing Learning and Research for Humanitarian Assistance (ELRHA);
- 2011–2013 the Foresight programme on Improving Future Disaster Anticipation and Resilience;
- 2011–2012 the report on The Use of Science in Humanitarian Emergencies and Disasters.
Resources
As part of an international collaboration between hazard scientists and NGOs, Melanie Duncan, Stephen Edwards and Centre Affiliate Kate Crowley have led the development of new guidelines on Integrating Science into humanitarian and development planning and practice to enhance community resilience. The guidelines have been designed for NGO practitioners and recommend procedures for utilising scientific knowledge to strengthen community resilience.
UCL Hazard Centre:
Hazard and Risk: Our operational programmes aimed at enhancing disaster risk reduction, response and relief.
History: A brief history of the centre.
Publications: Examples of our research articles, posters, books, field guides, and more...
Contact us:
Director: Christopher Kilburn
Email: c.kilburn@ucl.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0) 20 3108 6325 (56325)