Disaster preparedness project receives UKRI funding

The funding forms part of the first round of UKRI’s new cross research council responsive mode pilot scheme, designed to stimulate exciting new interdisciplinary research, which has pledged £32.4m for 36 projects.

Project ESCAPE: Engaging Science and the Creative Arts to Prepare for Eruptions brings together a team of volcanologists, theatre practitioners and social scientists to employ participatory theatre to help scientists who are monitoring the behaviour of Campi Flegrei, an active volcano in a suburban area near Naples, Italy, which last erupted in 1538.

Led by Professor Christopher Kilburn (UCL Earth Sciences) and receiving over £575,000 in funding, the core team includes experts from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, the University of Cambridge, and the University of Portsmouth.

Professor Kilburn explained: “Eruptions with the greatest impact on society have occurred from volcanoes that have been silent for centuries. When they become restless again, forecasting their behaviour involves scientific uncertainty, because we cannot see directly what is happening underground. We end up with a range of outcomes to choose from under time-limited conditions, and opinions often differ.

“We believe that participatory theatre will help to resolve conflicting opinions by revealing the emotional and cognitive factors that drive disagreement. If we’re right, our project will demonstrate the value of combining expertise from the arts and sciences to improve our approach to managing natural hazards.”

The UKRI cross research council responsive mode (CRCRM) pilot scheme is supporting new and creative interdisciplinary ideas emerging from the research community.

The scheme:

• unlocks new research, approaches and methods that would not be possible from established disciplinary thinking
• encourages new and unexpected types of interdisciplinary research not currently funded through existing UKRI responsive mode schemes
• supports research that will be potentially transformative for the participating disciplines or lead to the creation of new disciplines

Professor Alison Park, UKRI CRCRM Champion and Deputy Executive Chair of the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) said: “The perspectives of different disciplines, working together in collaboration, are vital to solving some of the most pressing problems we face as a society.

“The UKRI cross research council responsive mode scheme is designed to break down silos and champion research that transcends, combines and significantly spans traditional discipline boundaries.

“The projects announced today will drive progress across diverse fields by creating fresh approaches to research questions, methodologies and ways of working.

“We were all excited to see the innovative and bold approaches being adopted to tackle major issues ranging from climate change to global healthcare and look forward to following their progress.”

Links

• UKRI news story
• Professor Christopher Kilburn’s academic profile
• UCL Earth Sciences

Image

• The Neapolitan volcanoes Vesuvius and Campi Flegrei. Vesuvius on the horizon shows the mountain shape expected of volcanoes. Much larger, but less obvious, is Campi Flegrei, which is a giant depression and covers the rest of the photo, including beneath the sea in the Gulf of Pozzuoli. Credit: Christopher Kilburn.

Media contact 

Chris Lane

tel: +44 20 7679 9222  / +44 (0) 7717 728648

E: chris.lane [at] ucl.ac.uk