23 Jan 2019
Disaster risk reduction expert to visit Loughborough University as part of Institute of Advanced Studies’ Nation Theme
Associate Professor JC Gaillard will be visiting the Institute of Advanced Studies next week through its ‘Nation’ Theme.
Dr Gaillard is currently based at the University of Auckland, and his work focuses on developing participatory tools for engaging minority groups in disaster risk reduction, with an emphasis on ethnic and gender minorities, prisoners, children and homeless people.
An exciting programme of events is planned for Dr Gaillard’s visit, hosted by Dr Ksenia Chmutina from the School of Architecture, Building and Civil Engineering.
On Monday 28 January he will present an IAS lecture on Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction, which will be followed by a panel discussion with Professor Maureen Fordham (UCL), Kevin Blanchard (DRR Dynamics), Emma Lovell and Professor John Twigg (Overseas Development Institute).
The event is free to attend and will take place from 11:30am-1pm in the West Park Teaching Hub (Room 0.05). Booking is available online.
In addition, Dr Gaillard will be leading a Writeshop for PhD and Post-Doctoral Researchers working in the area of Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience, and alongside Dr Chmutina, will also be running a workshop entitled ‘Disaster Risk Reduction is Child’s Play’ which will take place on 29 January in DAV.1.009, Hewson Studio, 12:30pm-2pm.
Talking about the visit, Dr Chmutina said: “Associate Professor Gaillard is one of the most respected and recognised experts in disaster risk reduction in the world, and we are delighted that he will be spending a week with us, sharing his knowledge with PhD and research staff as well as colleagues from across the University.
“This work is mutually beneficial as it contributes towards getting a better understanding of the emerging issue in disaster studies and will lead to important collaborations in the area of disaster risk reduction.”
The IAS aims to promote an outstanding, interdisciplinary research environment at Loughborough by supporting collaborations with leading international scholars from other institutions.
The Nation theme is being led by Senior Lecturer in Geography Dr Marco Antonsich, and looks to explore the continuing salience of the nation, both as a cohesive and a divisive register, in shaping the kind of responses people give to specific events.
Other guests who will be visiting the University later this year as part of the Theme include Professor Jim Watson (UKERC – Sussex University), artists Jonas Staal and Rita Marcalo, and Professor Melissa Aronczyk(Rutgers University, USA).