2020 UCL IRDR Annual Conference theme: COVID-19 Pandemic
This year's event will be hosted online. Details of how to log in to the digital conference platform will be sent to registrants in due course.

We welcome researchers, students, practitioners, NGOs, sector professionals and interested public to a day of thought-provoking discussions on how the COVID-19 pandemic is impacting certain vulnerable communities and countries disproportionately and consequent crisis management strategies to better prepare for the next one. Our in-house and guest experts will present the latest research and issues in COVID-19 outbreak through a combination of talks, case studies, conversation and video presentations. We will explore the multi-dimensional aspects of the crisis, considering their physical, social, economic, environmental, institutional, political and cultural dimensions. The conference themes and presentations will promote a better understanding of disaster risk reduction in a global pandemic setting and inform current and future research and policy guidance.

We will be welcoming The Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP as the keynote speaker.

Further details will be updated in due course.

Conference Programme: 

09:30–09:45: Conference digital platform login
09:45–09:50: Welcome speech by Professor Peter Sammonds, Director, UCL IRDR
09:50–09:55: Conference inauguration [Convener: Dr Bayes Ahmed]

10:00–11:30: Panel discussion 1: COVID-19 Pandemic and Global Perspective 
11:45–13:10: Panel discussion 2: COVID-19 and Refugees, Migrants and Minorities [Chair: Dr Miriam Orcutt]

13:10-14:00: Lunch Break

14:05–15:00: Keynote Speech by The Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP  
15:15–16:00: In conversation with TBC

16:00-16:30: Tea Break

16:30–17:30: IRDR PhD Research Showcase [Chair: Dr Akhtar Alam]
17:45–18:15: MSc Meet and Greet [Chair: Dr Gianluca Pescaroli]

The event is free but places must be booked in advance.

Sessions

Panel discussion 1: COVID-19 Pandemic and Global Perspective

Overview

Professor David Alexander: The Critical Role of Emergency Planning in the Covid-19 Crisis

Professor Imtiaz Ahmed: : COVID-19 and Global Politics

Professor Saleemul Huq: COVID-19 Pandemic and Climate Change

Dr Hui Zhang: COVID-19 Pandemic and Perspectives from China

 Panel discussion 2: COVID-19 and Refugees, Migrants and Minorities

Overview

Dr Miriam Orcutt

Keynote speaker

The Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP

Full speaker details will be added as they are confirmed.

Please note this event will be filmed for promotional purposes.