This research cluster aims to connect our world-leading natural hazards research at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam with societal partners interested in natural hazards and their impacts on society, in the Netherlands and abroad. This research cluster brings together researchers working on process understanding and societal impacts of among others floods, droughts, heatwaves, fires, landslides, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions from different VU institutes and faculties. We also investigate how consecutive natural hazards can have compounding impacts, and the challenges for disaster risk management.
We study natural hazards as an important part of the Earth system and society. While the occurrence of extreme natural hazards may be rare, these events can have a disproportional impact on the environment and human lives.
We are an expertise centre in multiple aspects of natural hazards in the Netherlands. Our knowledge contributes to minimizing the negative effects that natural hazards have on society through collaboration with land managers, policy makers and practitioners. Our geographical scope varies from local to global. We regularly speak to national and international journalists about our work.
At VU, we hold a monthly seminar series in which researchers from different disciplines share their work. The dates are announced on this and the page of the Amsterdam Sustainability Institute.