About us
Global disaster resilience for an uncertain future.
Our goals
We believe we are stronger when academic, non-governmental, community, and governmental organizations work together. Collaboration is the best approach to advance the field of disaster resilience and tackle compounding crises, both in California and around the world. These goals guide work across all three of UCDRN’s core activities: applied research, education & training, and service-oriented partnerships.
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Coordinate
Existing within and beyond each facet of the UC System, UCDRN has an unrivaled ability to bring people together to face the most daunting challenges of our times.
Facilitate
As a network of experts, practitioners, and thought leaders, convening is in our nature. UCDRN provides a platform for multi-disciplinary collaboration greater than the sum of any individual parts.
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Educate
Disasters and crises only continue to reinforce each other. UCDRN is focused on preparing a new generation of leaders trained in handling multifaceted and compounding threats.
Investigate
As one of the world’s greatest research collectives, the UC system is a hub for knowledge on resilience. UCDRN channels this towards high impact, real-world issues.
Our network
We convene experts from across the UC system’s 10 campuses, 5 medical centers, and 3 national labs.
230,000 faculty and staff
UCDRN has access to one of the deepest talent pools in the world, covering more than 160 academic disciplines.
10 Campus-based committees
UCDRN’s strength is in its ability to amplify strengths and resources at the campus level and connect them to broader, system-wide initiatives.
6 Core Partnerships
UCRDN’s partnership development strategy is threefold - connecting resilience-focused initiatives across the UC, collaborating with research universities in other countries, and connecting work with major non-academic organizations in the disaster management space.
14 External Advisors
UCDRN’s Advisory Board helps guide our programmatic work and contains everyone from former elected officials to CEOs of international corporations.
Governance
UCDRN is a multi-layered organization, enabling critical collaboration and input at every level of our organizational structure.
The Executive Committee is responsible for proposing and managing UCDRN’s policies, programs and other activities with members appointed by the University Council.
The University Council is the primary governance body, representing all key units in the UC system and providing guidance on strategy, policies and programs.
Campus-based Committees organize local networks, activities, and inputs from particular UC units and nominate representatives to the University Council.
The Advisory Board is a renowned group of external professionals who advise the UCDRN on policies, partnerships, research opportunities, fundraising, outcomes, and reports.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Underserved communities of color are disproportionately impacted by disasters and crises both in California and around the world. The University of California was founded with an explicit service mission and commitment to ensuring broad, equitable access to quality higher education as a fundamental right. UCDRN supports and is committed to advancing the University of California’s policy statement on diversity and its implications for equity, inclusion and social justice.
What's next?
We’ve made significant strides to date consolidating and augmenting our early wins in close collaboration with key partners across the system including UC Office of the President.
2021
UCDRN launches. Consolidation of leadership and governance structure.
2022
UC partnership development. Initiation of major collaborative research.
2023
First systemwide course offering. International partnerships forged.
2024-Beyond
Expansion of website, courses, and partnerships. UCDRN advances across all campuses with key partners and UCOP.