Results: Disaster Research Days 2024 in Vienna
As Europe – and the world - faces a series of severe floods across Austria, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania, and Spain, the Disaster Research Days 2024 conference from October 8–10, 2024, underscored science as a foundation for enhancing disaster preparedness across the continent.
The event was organised by the European Commission DG HOME, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, the Austrian Federal Ministry of Science, Research and Education, the Austrian Federal Ministry of Finance, and the Disaster Competence Network Austria (DCNA). It gathered over 200 experts from across Europe to showcase and discuss the latest research findings and innovative solutions in disaster risk reduction (DRR).
A key objective of the Disaster Research Days 2024 was to strengthen the integration of scientific research into policy and practice, driving evidence-based strategies for DRR. The discussions workshops and panels focused on topics such as societal resilience, critical infrastructure protection, and the role of public health in disaster management. The need for innovative policy frameworks and the use of emerging technologies to strengthen resilience at local, national, and international levels were also discussed.
In his opening remarks, Austria’s Minister for Science, Research, and Education, Martin Polaschek, underscored the essential role of science in advancing disaster risk reduction efforts. He highlighted DCNA's newly introduced Science Plan as a foundational step toward enhancing the connection between scientific research and effective, on-the-ground disaster response. Christian Resch, Managing Director of DCNA, highlighted that the DCNA Science Plan will serve as a strategic guide for advancing disaster research and aligning it with the priorities of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, both within Austria and beyond. In his words: "Our goal is not just to react to disasters but to anticipate and minimise their impact. This requires deepening scientific knowledge and ensuring its accessibility to policymakers, practitioners, and the public."
A dynamic dialogue around DRR took place at both research and policy levels, involving key institutional actors, sectoral policies, and funding mechanisms. This dialogue emphasised the critical need for enhanced coordination among existing and emerging initiatives to achieve cohesive and effective disaster resilience.
The European Commission’s Joint Research Centre was an active player in the dialogue, bringing insights, sharing tool developments and suggesting strategies, in particular on topics such as boosting disaster research from the national to the European level, enhancing science-policy collaboration, and safeguarding critical infrastructure or foresight techniques.
The Disaster Risk Management Knowledge Centre (DRMKC) was highlighted as an effective model for connecting science and policy in disaster risk management. This success is attributed to several key elements: knowledge products, such as the recent "Cross-border and Emerging Risks in Europe" report; scientific tools designed for policymakers, including the Risk Data Hub platform, INFORM and the Global Conflict Risk Index; data resources with global impact, like the Copernicus Emergency Management Service and the Global Disaster and Alert Coordination System (GDACS); and innovative, anticipatory analyses that support proactive decision-making.
The role of the Union Civil Protection Knowledge Network (UCPKN) was also highlighted as a core platform for strengthening disaster risk management across Europe, with the DRMKC and CERIS forming its core science pillars. The UCPKN is successfully fostering a community where practitioners and policymakers can access a wealth of scientific knowledge, tools, and collaborative opportunities to support the implementation of the Union Disaster Resilience Goals. Some success stories mentioned are the Summer School in Evidence for Policy in DRM and the Knowledge for Action in Prevention & Preparedness (KAPP).
By bridging the science-policy gap, the Disaster Research Days 2024 helped advance the dialogue on DRR. These days showed how a proactive, well-networked European approach can lead to effective disaster preparedness, response, and resilience, leading to a safer and more resilient society across borders.
