Natural Hazards Research Centre
The Natural Hazards Research Centre is based in the Department of Geological Sciences at the University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand.
The Department of Geological Sciences has strong research programmes in natural hazards, particularly in active tectonics and earthquakes, landslide hazard and mitigation and volcanic surveillance of the Taupo Volcanic Zone. Staff and postgraduate research projects have continued to attract increasing levels of funding from external organisations, including the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology (FRST). Collaborative links with other New Zealand and overseas research groups have continued to strengthen. The Department is now recognised both nationally and internationally in terms of its published research contribution, as well as participation in conferences and workshops, and in terms of increasing public awareness and education.
As a consequence, the Natural Hazard Research Centre was established in 1997 to:
- promote and undertake high quality research in the broad field of natural hazards, including physical process, hazard assessment and mitigation;
- develop and foster national and international collaborative links, and promote data exchange;
- enhance teaching and research in natural hazards at the University of Canterbury;
- and increase public awareness and education about natural hazards and their effects on the New Zealand economic and social environment.
After 10 years, the Centre is now a vibrant group with 18 affiliated staff from 4 departments (Civil Engineering, Geography, Geological Sciences, and Political Science and Communications), and over 25 postgraduate students involved in hazard-related projects.
In 2005, BSc (Hons), PG Dip Sci., MSc, and PhD degrees were launched in Hazard and Disaster Management (HAZM) within the Department of Geological Sciences, and these have proved popular both with University of Canterbury students and internationally. In February 2007, 12 postgraduate students were enrolled in HAZM degrees (6 PhD, 4 MSc, and 2 BSc (Hons), with others expected to enrol during the year.