About us
Global disaster resilience for an uncertain future.
Our goals
With the proper organization and support, the University of California's extensive talent pool represents one of the most powerful disaster resilience clusters in the world. Our ability to tackle extreme challenges is enhanced through collaboration across academic, NGO, community, and governmental sectors. Only by working together comprehensively will we advance the science of disaster resilience, uniquely addressing the complex, interconnected challenges that threaten communities across California and the globe. This approach high-octanes our Core Operational Pillars:
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Coordinate
UCDRN excels in uniting diverse stakeholders within and beyond the UC System to address urgent and complex challenges. By leveraging our network, we ensure that resources and expertise are mobilized efficiently to create effecient and effective solutions.
Facilitate
At our core, UCDRN is an institute for multi-disciplinary collaboration. We bring together experts, practitioners, and thought leaders to foster innovative approaches and synergies that exceed the capabilities of individual efforts.
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Educate
UCDRN is committed to training the next generation of leaders who are adept at navigating and mitigating the cascading effects of compounding disasters and poly-crises. Our educational initiatives are designed to equip individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to tackle increasingly complex challenges.
Investigate
Leveraging the University of California’s unparalleled research capabilities, UCDRN is at the forefront of advancing knowledge on resilience. We focus on translating cutting-edge research into practical strategies to enhance societal resilience against escalating disasters.
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 formally launches with support from The Schulte Family Foundation, Mr. Dick Beahrs, and Mr. Mark Bertlesen.
*Organizational structure is refined and consolidated, with visionary leadership recruited from all campuses and key external partners.
2022
* Partnerships with top NGOs, government, private, and international stakeholders undertaken.
* Collaborative wildfire research with the Moore Foundation and UC Natural Reserve System incubated.
*Campus-based Committees (CbC) explored at UCSB, UCR, and UCSD.
*Expertise Portal launched (in beta).
*Advisory Board (Chair Bertlesen) and Governance Council (Chaired by LeRoy Westerling, Merced; Co-Chaired by Janet Napolitano, Berkeley) established.
*Inaugural "UC Disaster Resilience Day" convened hundreds of UC, Cal Gov, private, community and ngo leadership
* CbCs established with prominent community leadership at UCSB and UCR.
2023
* Global collaborations with leading public research universities in South American and Western Europe commenced.
2024-Beyond
* Augmenting teaching, research, and service-based partnerships across all UC campuses while institutionally consolidating programmatic and administrative gains-to-date with UCDRN's proposed "California Disaster Resilience & Emergency Management Institute" (CAL DREMI)
*California Office of Planning and Research
*California Council on Science & Technology
*Microsoft AI for Good
*American Red Cross' Disaster Preparedness Center