In the light of new technologies and their serious impact on societies and the environment, and in the rise of global changes in natural hazards, the need for cooperation and shared understanding for shaping the future of disaster risk reduction has become clearer than ever. This year’s Disaster Research Days events are more focused on this goal, and IIASA's Cooperation and Transformative Governance Research Group leader, Nadejda Komendantova, was invited to share her innovative insights.
This year, Vienna was hosting the Disaster Research Days, an international event, held on October 8th to 10th and organized by “United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR)”, “Disaster Competence Network Austria”, “European Commission’s Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG ECHO)”, “Austrian Ministry of Finance”, and “Austrian Ministry of Education, Science and Research”. This year’s event is focused on scientists, decision-makers, policymakers, and experts to come together and “shape the future of science and research for disaster risk reduction”.
On the second day of the event, IIASA’s ASA program CAT group leader, Nadejda Komendantova, was invited as one of the distinguished panelists to share her insights and rich experience for shaping the future of first responses in times of disaster. The panel was focused on discussing the innovative ways in the digital era to help first responders in their missions. As an expert in cooperative risk governance, foresight analysis, AI methods of risk analysis, and stakeholder engagement, she shared insights on how the new concepts like multi-risk governance, theory of change, behavioral analysis, and AI tools can come together to help promote the first respond missions’ impacts.
Komendantova’s discussion and insights showed that one effective way to increase these impacts is through the integration of participatory decision-making, compromise-oriented policy solutions, and AI-boosted decision support systems. This has been demonstrated by her team in several H2020 projects (e.g., MEDiate, PARATUS, CORE, and Adaptation AGORA).
Read more about the Disaster Research Days 2024 here.
News
15 October 2026
IIASA strengthens science diplomacy ties at UNGA in New York
IIASA Science Diplomacy Director and Head of Communications and External Relations Susie Kitchens represented the Institute at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) High-level Week and Science Summit in New York in September, contributing to discussions on how science and international cooperation can help address shared global challenges.
13 October 2026
Connecting disciplines and inspiring new ideas with the Environment and Climate Research Hub
IIASA Deputy Director General Karen Lips delivered a keynote at the University of Vienna's recent Environment and Climate Research Hub (ECH) Research Frontiers Workshop in Bad Vöslau, Austria, emphasizing the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in addressing complex environmental and climate challenges.
12 October 2026
Connecting science across borders: IIASA Committee meets University of Salzburg
How can universities and international research organisations work together to address the complex challenges of a changing world? This question shaped a full day of scientific exchange at the University of Salzburg on 6 October, when the Austrian IIASA Committee met with members of the University community to discuss research, collaboration and opportunities for researchers and students.