[09/26] Researchers from IHRR, Durham University Business School, Mathematical Sciences, Engineering, Computer Science and Earth Sciences met to explore new interdisciplinary research collaborations focused on risk, resilience and forecasting.
On 29 September 2026, the Institute of Hazard, Risk and Resilience (IHRR) and Durham University Business School (DUBS) hosted a research sandpit chaired by IHRR Co-Director Professor Kostas Nikolopoulos.
The event brought together 15 researchers and academic leaders from a wide range of disciplines including Economics, Finance, Management and Marketing, Mathematical Sciences, Engineering, Computer Science, Earth Sciences, Geography and IHRR. Participants included IHRR Fellows, IHRR Co-Directors, department representatives and researchers with interests spanning forecasting, climate change, resilience, disaster risk, public health, infrastructure, economics and policy.
The purpose of the sandpit was to showcase current research activities, identify shared interests and explore opportunities for future interdisciplinary collaboration. Through a series of short presentations and discussions, participants highlighted ongoing work in areas such as climate adaptation, disaster recovery, forecasting and artificial intelligence, political and financial risk, air quality and health impacts, infrastructure resilience, environmental economics and complex systems modelling.
The event demonstrated the strong potential for collaboration between IHRR and colleagues across Durham University Business School and other departments. Discussions highlighted how business, economics and finance expertise can complement hazard, risk and resilience research by providing insights into decision-making, policy development, economic impacts, adaptation strategies and risk management.
A number of potential areas for future collaboration were identified, including forecasting and predictive analytics, climate and environmental risk, resilience modelling, disaster economics, infrastructure adaptation and interdisciplinary grant development. Several participants also expressed interest in developing new research partnerships and future funding applications.
The sandpit provided an excellent opportunity to strengthen connections across disciplines and demonstrated the value of bringing together researchers with diverse expertise to address complex societal challenges relating to hazard, risk and resilience.
Photo credit: Durham University Assets
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