This is a wide-ranging module that consolidates learning in relation to the concepts, practicalities and specialisms of disaster response and management, including:¿



Research and evidence-based practice in disaster response and management.

Natural disaster management.

Public health/pandemic preparedness and response.

Human instigated disaster management.

International and humanitarian response.



See Appendix 1 for detail.

Assessment 1:

Students will deliver a live virtual presentation using PowerPoint and MS Teams to an audience of marker and student peers that communicates a disaster response case study linked to their own or intended area of professional practice with a focus on natural, human instigated, public health disaster management in an international or humanitarian context. This will assess learning outcomes 1 and 2.


Assessment 2:
Students will submit a proposal incorporating ethical approval application for a research project that will contribute to the body of knowledge in disaster management in their own or intended area of professional practice. This will assess learning outcomes 3,4 and 5.

The module will be delivered through a combination of lectures, workshops, and practical exercises. Specialist guest speakers may be invited to provide insights and real-world examples. Students will engage in teamwork, sharing cross-discipline knowledge through group discussions, peer review, and communication exercises.¿ There will be regular sessions of formative assessment and academic support/tutorials will be available throughout the module.¿ Students will also have access to online resources and guidance for academic writing, data visualization, and digital communication.¿

Demonstrate a systematic understanding of the relevance of evidence-based practice in disaster response and its application to different professional settings.

Knowledge and Understanding, Communication


Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding and critical evaluation of the ethical issues and challenges in applying disaster management methodologies when responding to crisis in an international or humanitarian context.

Enquiry, Problem Solving, Communication


Systematically Evaluate the complexities of contemporary disaster management and demonstrate a critical awareness of current research to identify area(s) worthy of further exploration to advance professional knowledge.

Knowledge and Understanding, Learning, Problem Solving, Analysis, Application


Reflect on the ethical implications of disaster management strategies and interventions in the context of your own or intended area of professional practice.

Learning, Reflection


Demonstrate a systematic understanding and reflect on the impact of climate change and application of sustainable disaster management methodologies in the context of your own or intended area of professional practice.

Knowledge and Understanding, Learning, Application, Reflection

Please see the library reading list links on EVision and the Blackboard VLE for the most up to date reading list and links.

The following texts are recommended reading for this module:



Bonanno, G.A., Chen, S., Bagrodia, R. and Galatzer-Levy, I.R., 2024. Resilience and disaster: flexible adaptation in the face of uncertain threat. Annual review of psychology, 75, pp.573-599.

Case-Based Decision Support for Disaster Management (2020). KIT Scientific Publishing

Cheek, W., 2024. Cultural Heritage and Post-Disaster Recovery. In Routledge Handbook on Cultural Heritage and Disaster Risk Management (pp. 199-210). Routledge.

Flin, R. and Arbuthnot, K. (2017) Incident Command: Tales from the Hot Seat. London: Routledge.

Henkey, T. (2017) Urban Emergency Management: Planning and Response for the 21st Century. Saint Louis: Elsevier Science & Technology.

Kalaiselvi, V. and Tripathy, J.P., 2024. Applying evidence-based strategies for public health preparedness and emergency management. In Principles and Application of Evidence-based Public Health Practice (pp. 49-70). Academic Press.

Kuhlicke, C., 2013. Resilience: a capacity and a myth: findings from an in-depth case study in disaster management research. Natural hazards, 67(1), pp.61-76.

Keays, R., 2024. Emergency Planning and Disaster Management. Oxford Textbook of Respiratory Critical Care, p.47.

Ouaissa, M., Ouaissa, M., El Himer, S. and Boulouard, Z., 2024. AI and IoT Integration for Natural Disaster Management: A Comprehensive Review and Future Directions. AI and IoT for Proactive Disaster Management, pp.1-16.

Tierney, K.J. (2019) Disasters : A Sociological Approach. Medford, MA: Polity Press.

Valcik, N.A. and Tracy, P.E., 2017. Case studies in disaster response and emergency management. Routledge.

Blackboard VLE¿

MS Teams¿

University library and associated online learning materials.¿

Live streaming/recording equipment/software.¿

The Disaster Response and Management module is designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills necessary to manage disaster response effectively across various professional settings.



You will gain a systematic understanding of evidence-based practices in disaster response and how they apply to different contexts. You will explore the ethical challenges faced in disaster management, particularly in international and humanitarian scenarios, and develop a comprehensive understanding of contemporary issues in the field.



Through this module, with a focus on real-life scenarios in natural disaster management, public health and pandemic preparedness, human-instigated disaster management, and international humanitarian response - you will evaluate current research, identifying areas for further exploration to advance professional knowledge. You will also reflect on the ethical implications of disaster management strategies within your own or intended area of practice.



By the end of this module, you will be well-equipped to handle the complexities of disaster response, making informed, ethical decisions that contribute to effective crisis management.