APRU Multi-Hazards 2026 Summer School

The 11th Multi-Hazards Summer School, organised by the International Research Institute of Disaster Science (IRIDeS), Tohoku University, was held from 29 July to 1 August 2026 as part of the APRU Multi-Hazards Program.

The Summer School brought together students and early-career researchers to explore disaster risk reduction (DRR) through an interdisciplinary and collaborative approach. Participants gained insights into the science–policy–society interface through seminars, case studies, and field-based learning, with a focus on translating scientific knowledge into practical strategies for building resilient communities.

The four-day programme comprised a three-day seminar and a site visit to areas affected by the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, providing participants with opportunities to connect theoretical knowledge with real-world experiences in disaster recovery and resilience.

Our postgraduate student, Ross Cheung, shared his testimonial on his experience.

"Social, economic, political and environmental sustainability is crucial for the 21st century. Though sustainability is usually associated only with environmental hazards and climate change, it can also be closely related to sustainable cities and resilient communities, disaster preparedness, risk assessment, and AI modelling, which this program offered.

Learning from the 311 Fukushima tsunami and nuclear incidents in 2011 has been my major takeaway from participating in this Summer School. We had a chance not only to dive into understanding multi-hazards, but also to explore multiple methods, culturally diverse teams, and interdisciplinary research. From natural science to social sciences, the diversity of participants and speakers from varied countries also provided an opportunity for mutual learning.

Thanks also to the careful planning by colleagues at the International Research Institute of Disaster Science (IRIDeS) at Tohoku University, the instructors came from different sector including the local government, NGOs, and academia. The participation allowed us to visit tsunami-impacted sites and meet local Japanese people. Another benefit of the Summer School was learning more about the geography of the prefectures in the Tohoku region.

Overall, I truly appreciate what the Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU) has achieved since 1997 and its continued support for the Multi-Hazards Summer School since 2013. The in-class learning and living in Sendai made it a truly immersive experience."

Ross is currently a PhD Candidate at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, focusing on STS as his research field. He received an Erasmus Mundus Master in Global Studies (EMGS) from the University of Vienna and the University of Leipzig. He started his career in corporate finance and then served at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF), and the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT).