The UBC Disaster Resilience Research Network (DRRN) is building transdisciplinary connections and identifying shared research goals to inform disaster risk reduction policy and decision making at community and governance levels.
The network aims to advance multi-hazard assessment and mitigation in support of an inclusive and equitable development of just disaster risk management, with a focus on BC informed by international perspectives.
About DRRN
The UBC Disaster Resilience Research Network (DRRN) is a transdisciplinary initiative based at the University of British Columbia (UBC). Our mission is to foster equitable disaster risk reduction and resilience through collaborative research, knowledge exchange, and meaningful partnerships with communities, practitioners, and policymakers.
We bring together scholars and students from across disciplines—such as engineering, anthropology, geography, and law—to examine the complex social, technical, and environmental dimensions of disaster resilience. Our work is grounded in both academic inquiry and real-world applications, aiming to support communities and governments in building more just and sustainable futures in the face of multiple hazards.
Our Team
DRRN is a diverse network of professors, graduate students, researchers, and external partners from across departments and disciplines who shape our work.
Meet our leads, staff, steering committee, and members here.
What We Do
At DRRN, we foster collaborative research and engagement to better understand and address the complex challenges of disaster risk and resilience. Our work is grounded in equity, interdisciplinarity, and partnerships across academic, community, and government sectors.
We focus on:
- Collaborative, community-engaged research that centers local knowledge and lived experience.
- Cross-disciplinary integration of social sciences, applied sciences, natural sciences, health, policy, and Indigenous knowledge systems.
- Capacity-building through seminars, workshops, and training that connect students, researchers, and practitioners.
- Applied partnerships with municipalities, Indigenous organizations, and emergency management professionals.
- Knowledge mobilization through open-access resources, media engagement, and public events.
How to Become a Member
Membership in DRRN is open to faculty, post-docs, graduate students, researchers, and practitioners from the Cascadia region who are interested in transdisciplinary disaster research. Members from any discipline are welcome, and network members represent fields as diverse as Anthropology, Civil Engineering, Earth Sciences, Environmental Studies, Forestry, Geography, Law, Planning, Public Health, and many more! To join the network, follow this link and fill out the membership application form:
Primary funding for the DRRN comes from the Research Excellence Cluster program at UBC. For more information about Research Excellence Clusters and a list of established and emerging clusters, visit UBC's Research + Innovation page.