Research
CNDS is an interdisciplinary research centre that brings together researchers from engineering, social and earth sciences to work together on collaborative projects on natural hazards, socio-technological vulnerabilities, and societal security.
Our current research projects
ERC Project HydroSocialExtremes
Unraveling the mutual shaping of hydrological extremes and society
The Transformative Potential of Extreme Weather Events
Triggers for Disaster Risk Reduction and Development (TRAMPOLINE)
When it rains it pours
Biogeophysical drivers and societal responses to compound natural hazard events in Sweden
Research portrait: Riccardo Biella
- What is your area of expertise?
With a BSc Physical Geography and a MSc in Disaster Risk Management and Climate Change Adaptation, I am an expert at not being an expert. Instead, I have invested my time acquiring a broad knowledge base, encompassing natural to social sciences. I believe holistic knowledge to be necessary to navigate in the complexity ridden waters of Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) with a critical mindset and drawing inspiration from different fields.
- What sparked your interest in natural hazards and disaster science?
While being always interested in natural hazards from a natural science perspective, it was being accidentally involved in the response to a fire raging is a remote town of Chile that made me aware of the importance of understanding hazards from a social perspective.
- If I could only work on one problem/issue/challenge in natural hazards and disaster science it would be bridging science-to-policy, because I believe that the shortcomings of adaptation can be often attributed to poor management practices.
- What book or paper has been most influential to your career and why?
The latest one that I read is Disasterology. Samantha Montano sums up the two years of my MSc in a few hundred pages, all told from her personal experience and with a light, engaged, tone as practitioner and academic in the field of Disaster Risk Reduction. Must read!
- What do you like to do when you’re not working on research?
I love climbing and I never waste a sunny weekend not going out to the crag!
- What is your golden tip for early career scientists?
Never be afraid to stand up for your rights and your wellbeing. Research is work, you do not need to sacrifice your life for it!
Last modified: 2022-08-08