#15 - State of Disaster Research and Practice. How is it different between a European and Asian Perspective? Part 1

Abstract:

In this special episode of the IDRiM Podcast engage in a rich comparative discussion on disaster research and response perspectives from European and Asian contexts.

The hosts examine how disaster research in Asia tends to behazard-driven, with a focus on geophysical and hydrometeorological threats likeearthquakes, tsunamis, and typhoons, particularly prevalent in countries suchas Indonesia and Japan. In contrast, European research, particularly in the UKand Nordic countries, leans more toward systemic resilience, governancestructures, and social vulnerability, often addressing a broader spectrum ofthreats, including antagonistic and technological hazards.

The episode further unpacks the role of funding, notingdisparities in research support across regions, the impact of Brexit on UKresearch funding, and the shifting priorities of national and regional donors.

Additional discussions delve into disaster categorizationand prioritization, including under-recognized threats such as terrorism andfinancial crises, and how these events are (or are not) integrated intodisaster discourse. The hosts advocate for greater attention to “hiddendisasters” and the need for interdisciplinary approaches that bridge technicaland social dimensions.

Finally, the episode emphasizes the importance ofcommunication and implementation science, highlighting the cultural andstructural differences in how disaster-related policies are accepted orresisted. The conversation concludes with a call for cross-regional learning,especially in areas like public engagement, early warning systems, and adaptingbest practices to local contexts.

Co-hosts:

• Dr. Mark Ashley Parry [Northumbria University,United Kingdom]
• Haris Rahadianto [Lund University, Sweden]

Music: "Sunset" by Kai Engel, available at ⁠FreeMusic Archive⁠, licensed under CC BY 4.0