‘Masters of Disaster’ to study resilience in Japan
University of Canterbury disaster research students have been selected by the Japanese Embassy for a disaster resilience
study tour of Japan in early December.
Four UC Disaster Risk and Resilience research students have been invited by the Japanese government to attend the Japan-East Asia Network of Exchange for
Students and Youths (Jenesys) 2016 Programme in December.
Following an application and recommendation from their respective supervision teams, the UC research students were
chosen, among a group of 30 students nationally, aged 18-35.
The UC research students – James Williams, Kristie-Lee Thomas, Morgan Lindsay and Rebekah Perry – are involved in
disaster risk and resilience research topics, including earthquake, volcanic and tsunami risk, which have future
national significance.
A Disaster Risk and Resilience PhD candidate, James Williams, Department of Geological Sciences in UC’s College of
Science, has been in the field mapping tsunami impacts after the 14 November quake. He and his fellow UC disaster
research students are looking forward to the opportunity to interact with local Japanese research students and develop
future collaborative ties between UC and Japanese research institutes.
“Like New Zealand, Japan is still recovering from a series of major disasters, so the theme of disaster prevention and
recovery is of timely significance to both countries,” Williams says.
“Japan is a world leader in disaster prevention and recovery, so the Jenesys 2016 Programme will help develop
collaboration and communication between Japanese and New Zealand researchers and research students, improving
international disaster prevention and recovery knowledge.”
The programme, which takes place 7 - 14 December, is organised and funded by the Japanese government and aims to develop
mutual collaboration and understanding between Japan and the Asia-Pacific region, by promoting Japan’s society, culture,
history and diplomatic relations.
Master of Disaster Risk and Resilience student Morgan Lindsay says she hopes to gain a lot from the tour, beyond the
educational opportunities.
“The Jenesys programme will broaden my perspective and skill set when it comes to disaster risk and resilience and I
hope to learn about a culture I have never experienced before and make great long-lasting connections with people from
Japan as well as from around the Asia-Pacific region.”
The theme for the 2016 programme is disaster prevention and recovery and participants will have the opportunity to
deepen their understanding of the topic by interacting with local people, exchanging ideas with Japanese students and
visiting sites of cultural significance.