Welcome to Research School focusing on Natural Hazards

Catastrophic events in nature have their origins in complex systems. This reality motivates scientists from different fields of study to develop and carry out collaborative research with the aim to understand the processes behind these events. As a result of their work, improvements can be made to risk analysis and management as well as to disaster response.
Our research school focusing on natural hazards puts particular emphasis on volcanoes, earthquakes, tsunamis and landslides. The research school’s goal is to create opportunities for working teachers to deepen their knowledge within the geosciences and to pursue their own research as a part of a comprehensive research program. The teachers will bring this experience back to their schools.

Background

In the spring of 2011, ten scientists from the Department of Geological Sciences, Applied Environmental Sciences and Physical Geography and Quaternary Geology at Stockholm University proposed the creation of a new research school focusing on natural hazards. The idea was to contribute to the government’s research training initiative for working teachers by developing, within the departments’ existing research on natural hazards, an education at the postgraduate level adapted to the needs of the teachers. In June 2011 the Swedish Research Council (Vetenskapsrådet) announced their decision to fund the proposal.

All twelve research positions for teachers are now filled. The teachers – nine who teach at the "gymnasium" level and three at the "grundskola" level – represent eight municipalities, one county council and one private school. In addition, a faculty member from the Department of Child and Youth Studies has joined the research school as supervisor of one of the teachers, adding a social science perspective.

The 3rd of September 2012 was the opening day of our Research School for Teachers focusing on Natural Hazards. The research students, who continue to work as teachers in the schools, have all begun reading courses to acquire essential background knowledge and have taken the first steps toward their research.