Prof Saini Yang visits Newcastle to strengthen global collaboration on disaster risk reduction

During the visit, Prof Yang introduced IRDR’s vision and global strategy in its second phase, including its priorities of advancing risk understanding, promoting innovation and action, and building research capacity worldwide. As a programme co-sponsored by ISC, UNDRR, and CAST, IRDR plays a critical role in integrating science into policy and practice for disaster risk reduction. Prof Yang shared highlights of IRDR’s Phase 1 achievements, such as the FORIN methodology and contributions to the Sendai Framework, as well as the evolving focus of Phase 2 through workstreams and pilot initiatives supporting risk-informed development. 

The visit included in-depth discussions with DARe researchers from across disciplines, where Prof Yang expressed particular interest in the Hub’s systemic and multi-scale research on extreme events, hazard modelling, infrastructure resilience, and urban flood impacts. Newcastle academics from engineering, geography, data science, and transport modelling shared how their ongoing projects intersect with IRDR’s thematic areas. 

The conversation opened up exciting possibilities for future collaboration, including contributions to IRDR workstreams, participation in pilot studies, and potential engagement in the Centre of Excellence (ICoE) network.  

This visit marked the beginning of a promising relationship between DARe and IRDR, paving the way for deeper cooperation in advancing global disaster resilience.