In 2023, the UBC Disaster Resilience Research Network began a collaboration with the newly-formed BC Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness (EMCR). The Ministry granted the DRRN $450,000 to provide insights into disaster resilience research and policymaking in BC, especially to support the ongoing provincial and regional Disaster and Climate Risk and Resilience Assessments (DCRRA). This funding supports 12 pilot research projects by DRRN members, as well as the development of an Academic Advisory Panel and a Collaborative Research Agenda that looks to the future of disaster research in the province.
Composed of disaster experts both inside and outside the DRRN, this panel will support the BC Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness (EMCR) on the province-wide disaster and climate risk and resilience assessment (DCRRA). If you are interested in joining or learning more about this panel, reach out to project lead Dr. Pouria Kourehpaz.
Current Academic Advisory Panel members:
Carlos Molina Hutt*
Sara Shneiderman*
Trevor Carey*
David Edgington*
Amy Kim*
Kees Lokman*
Dwayne Tannant*
Steven Weijs*
Natasha Fox*
Shahria Alam*
Lori Daniels*
Suliman Gargoum*
Michael Hooper*
Cristiano Loss*
Tim McDaniels*
Philippe Le Billon*
Scott McDougall*
Ethan Raker*
Lisa Tobber*
Babak Tosarkani*
Rachel White*
Carlos Ventura
Dharma Wijewickreme
John Innes
Werner Antweiler
Christopher Carlsten
José Martí
Greg Garrard
Kasun Hewage
Rehan Sadiq
Katherine Wagner
Michele Koppes
Simon Donner
*Indicates members of the Disaster Resilience Research Network (DRRN)
As part of the collaboration with EMCR, the first draft of the Collaborative Research Agenda highlights the strengths and gaps when it comes to disaster research in the province, as well as disaster-related research interests and needs, as specified by dozens of emergency managers working for municipalities and First Nations across BC. This document is currently a work in process. To review a copy or discuss, reach out to DRRN Network Coordinator Jonathan Eaton.