Over the past 40 years, Disasters has been the leading journal in disaster studies. At the forefront of research and debates, it has challenged policy and practice concerning catastrophes, complex emergencies and protracted crises around the world. To celebrate this momentous occasion, ODI convenes a one-day conference bringing together scholars and experts from many countries to discuss how studies of disasters have evolved over the past 40 years and the implications for policy and practice.

As the world continues to face large-scale disasters and crises, it is critical that we review progress in reducing vulnerability and increasing resilience. The conference takes lessons from the past 40 years to re-evaluate current frameworks for prevention and response and draw up a forward-looking agenda for disaster studies. For more information on the panel speakers, click here.

Confirmed speakers include:

Baroness Frances D’Souza – Founding Editor, Disasters Journal

Prof Ian Davis – Visiting Professor, Oxford Brookes University

Prof Helen Young – Co-Editor, Disasters Journal

Associate Prof JC Gaillard @jcgaillard_uoa – Associate Dean, University of Auckland

Prof Lan Xue - Professor and Dean, Tsinghua University

Prof Luka Biong Deng - Professor, National Defense University, Washington, DC

Dr Irasema Alcantara – Professor and researcher, Institute of Geography, National Autonomous University of Mexico 

Prof John Twigg @johntwigg57 - Co-Editor, Disasters Journal

Dr Hugo Slim @HSlimICRC - Head of Policy and Humanitarian Diplomacy Division, ICRC

Dr Yasemin Aysan - Independent Consultant

Dr Jennifer Leaning - Director, François-Xavier Bagnoud Center for Health and Human Rights, Harvard University 

Dr Elena Fiddian-Qasmiyeh, Co-Director, Migration Research Unit, University College London

Dr Sara Pantuliano @SaraPantuliano - Editor in Chief, Disasters

Follow #Disasters40 to join the debate. If you would like to register your interest in attending in person, please contact [email protected] with your name and organisation. You can also sign up to watch the livestream by following the Eventbrite link at the top of this page.