#33 - GADRI2025 - Summit Recap (Prof. John van de Lindt)

Summary:

In this concluding episode of the IDRiM Podcast’s GADRI2025 recap series, Ashley Parry sits down with Professor John van de Lindt, local host and Co-Director of the NIST-funded Center of Excellence for Risk-Based Community Resilience Planning, to reflect on a landmark summit held for the first time outside of Japan.

The episode opens with a discussion of the significance of hosting GADRI in Fort Collins, Colorado, not only a geographical milestone but also a symbolic shift toward a more global and inclusive identity. Professor van de Lindt speaks to the challenges and triumphs of bringing the 10th anniversary event to life, emphasizing the importance of blending technical sessions with informal, human-centered moments, like jazz at the closing reception and “lunch with keynote speakers,” which fostered dialogue between early-career researchers and established experts.

The summit’s theme, “Converging Disaster Research and Stakeholder Engagement for Resilience,” was unpacked through three main strands: convergence, engagement, and fundamental research. Across the plenary sessions, keynote speakers tackled how to integrate multidisciplinary methods with community involvement, navigate complex data ethics, and link fundamental research to policy change. Particularly powerful was the concept of participatory convergence, a model where stakeholders are not just consulted, but embedded in the research process.

John also reflects on initiatives like the Seeds and Needs networking session, the focus on ethical and open data use, and the increasing attention to AI and indigenous knowledge in disaster risk reduction. While GADRI’s traditional resolution was once again adopted at the summit’s close, van de Lindt stresses the importance of ensuring these resolutions lead to real-world impact, particularly in the lead-up to the post-2030 Sendai Framework.Looking to the future, he hopes GADRI will continue deepening its commitment to inclusivity, data accessibility, and youth leadership, while exploring practical strategies to bridge the persistent gap between research and policy. With the next summit slated for Kyoto in 2027, the conversation ends on a hopeful note, that the seeds planted in Fort Collins will grow into stronger, more resilient global collaborations.

Guest: Prof. John van de Lindt (Colorado State University, United States)

Host: Dr. Mark Ashley Parry [Northumbria University, United Kingdom]

Music: “Sunset” by Kai Engel, available at ⁠Free Music Archive⁠, licensed under CC BY 4.0.