The overall aim of CNDS’s research is to contribute to enhancing society’s ability to prevent and cope with natural hazard risks in the national and international context. The purpose is to understand the dynamics and negative impacts of natural hazards, as well as Swedish crisis preparedness and vulnerability.

Societies are affected by natural hazards in many different ways. Just in the recent past, Sweden has experienced the costly effects of several disruptive events, such as the wildfire of Västmanland in 2014, the storm Gudrun in 2005, and extensive flooding in Arvika in 2000. Yet even less extreme and more frequent events, such as local heavy precipitation, can have severe consequences, not the least economical. Large-scale disasters that occur elsewhere in the world can also affect Swedish society via their indirect effects (for example, the ash cloud after the eruption of the Eyjafjallajökull vulcano in 2010) and Sweden’s participation in international disaster relief work. You can find out more about our research goals in our research plan.