Ph.D. in Natural Hazards and Disaster Risk Reduction

The new associated doctoral program "Natural Hazards and Disaster Risk Reduction" has been developed based on the experience gained by the proposing entities within the Research, Innovation, and Training Consortium "REducing risks of natural DIsasters - REDI"

As indicated by the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (United Nations General Assembly, 2015), disaster risk reduction is based on a process represented by consequent activities defined in specific priorities:

• Priority 1. Understanding disaster risk;
• Priority 2. Strengthening disaster risk governance;
• Priority 3. Investing in disaster risk reduction for resilience;
• Priority 4. Improving disaster preparedness for effective response and "building back better" in recovery, rehabilitation, and reconstruction.

Each of these "priorities," and even more so, the process as a whole, requires knowledge and skills that can connect diverse disciplines with cross-cutting methods and effectively address interacting aspects in the field of earth sciences, engineering, urban and landscape planning, civil protection, health sciences, humanities, social sciences, economics, and law.

The inability to develop an effective process for reducing the risk associated with natural events is dramatically evident in Italy. Concerning earthquakes alone, from the Belice earthquake to the present day, in addition to the hundreds of victims, the damages are estimated at 190 billion euros. Furthermore, the reconstruction processes have been extremely slow and often ineffective. Currently, there are seven ongoing reconstructions, each with its own "model," with different rules and procedures. The training of new scientific and professional figures capable of working synergistically on the "priorities" indicated by the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, with a clear understanding of the overall process, can help overcome this deep-rooted gap between the concrete needs for prevention and the actions implemented by the State at the national, regional, and local levels.

The approach adopted by the doctoral program is therefore holistic. Enrollment will be open to students from different disciplinary areas and, intentionally, will offer only one doctoral curriculum. It will be the task of the excellent and interdisciplinary faculty board to identify the most suitable supervisor in relation to the different research topics of individual projects, which may include: i) natural phenomena (earthquakes, volcanoes, hydrogeological disasters, tsunamis) and the associated hazard in terms of energy, return periods, and predictability; ii) innovative seismic system/design for reducing the vulnerability of buildings, infrastructure, and cultural heritage; iii) community exposure and social and economic fragility; iv) urban and landscape planning, civil protection, and effective regulatory tools for reconstruction; v) essential structural and non-structural measures for disaster risk reduction, improving the economic, social, health, and cultural resilience of communities; vi) economic development of affected areas, including reconstruction policies. The organization of dedicated seminars and an annual autumn school will allow the necessary scientific interaction for a suitable preparation in identifying effective actions for reducing the risk associated with natural events.

The partnership of the program, represented by the proposing entities, along with the diverse expertise and affiliations within the faculty board, will provide students with all the necessary tools for their comprehensive and effective education, enabling them to tackle the major scientific and technological challenges of the future in the field of reducing risks associated with natural events.