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Disaster Risk Management: From Theory to Practice
Get an understanding of the concepts, dynamics and theoretical frameworks of vulnerability, climate change adaptation and disasters in a global perspective.
This course is a part of
You will get an outline of historical perspectives of disaster risk management, the changing nature of humanitarian crises and disasters in fragile contexts. Vulnerability reduction and resilience building, climate change and forced migration are also included.
The course covers factors such as globalisation’s impact on vulnerability; socio-economic and political dimensions; and health aspects at the local level.
Course content:
- Disaster risk as an interaction of exposure and vulnerability rather than the hazard per se.
- Climate change adaptation and its impact on natural resources and livelihoods.
- Key concepts, frameworks and debates in the developing field of disaster risk management and climate change adaptation.
- Overview of the global landscape of actors and institutions within disaster risk management and climate change adaptation.
- The disaster-development-climate nexus.
- The role of health and health challenges in disaster risk management and climate change.
- The complex interaction between disaster preparedness, response and recovery, prevention.
Learning mehtod:
There will be a variety of learning methods on the module ranging from lectures, to video screenings and student led presentations.
The learning methods are as follows:
- Lectures - Imparting knowledge, concepts, theories and models
- Exercises – Inquiry or skills based with emphasis on analytical skills and problem solving.
- Videos – Guided with a set of questions or an exercise that follows.
- Seminars – Self-directed by students and guided and mentored by tutors.
- Presentations – of group assignments and feedback by a panel of tutors.
- Paper – To develop academic writing skills and assessed by course leader.
The programme was a lot of real life examples and case studies, but at the same time, it had enough theory to give me the academic perspective that I wanted.
Course Director on Disaster Risk Management: From Theory to Practice
Anne Bach Nielsen
Assistant Professor
Course information about Disaster Risk Management: From Theory to Practice
Dates and examination
Course dates
1 - 19 September 2025
The course is available every year.
Examination
Please find the exam dates in the exam plan.
You can find further information about the course and the exam in the course curriculum.
See an overview of all courses on Master of Disaster Management.
Learning outcomes
During this course, you will learn the concepts and theoretical underpinnings of disaster risk reduction and disaster risk management practices. You will have gained insight into the complex connections and interactions between hazards and vulnerabilities and how risk is contextually configured. You will also be able to demonstrate knowledge of methods and tools for identification and analysis of hazards and vulnerabilities.
On completion of this course, you will be able to:
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Demonstrate a critical and practical understanding of the factors affecting and leading to vulnerability not only on a local level but those emanating from structural global processes.
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Demonstrate an understanding of the central role of disaster related health impacts and health status as chronic vulnerability issues that reduces people’s resilience in the face of extreme events and hazards.
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Have a command of the key concepts, theories, models and principles relevant to disaster management and risk reduction.
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Demonstrate knowledge of methods and tools for risk analysis and risk evaluation, including methods for identification and analysis of hazards and vulnerabilities.
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Acquire the conceptual basis to appreciate the complexities of vulnerability, risk and disaster management.
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Critically evaluate the strengths and limitations of policies and practices in the field that could potentially lead to increased vulnerability of the population.
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Apply tools used for teambuilding and stress management and demonstrate knowledge about intercultural communication.
Admission criteria
You must meet the following criteria to be admitted to this course:
- Hold a relevant bachelor degree or equivalent
- Have a minimum 2 years of relevant job experience
- Be proficient in English
Find detailed information in the admission criteria on Master of Disaster Management.
Priority is given to enrolled students
This course is offered as a compulsory course in the Master of Disaster Management programme. Priority is given to students already enrolled. Once the enrolled students have been admitted to the course, the remaining seats are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Tuition fees
EEU/EEA citizens
Master student: 16,500 DKK
Single course student: 25,000 DKK
Non-EU/EEA citizens
Master student: 22,000 DKK
Single course student: 33,000 DKK
Place
University of Copenhagen
City Campus
Øster Farimagsgade 5
1353 Copenhagen
Denmark
Anne Bach Nielsen
Assistant Professor
Anne’s research addresses how we create sustainable, resilient, and healthy cities.
She is particularly interested in how local actors contribute to reducing climate risks and adapting to climate change and reducing disaster impacts. This includes how local political initiatives and cross-sector collaborations emerge to address the climate crisis and how these are implemented on the ground.
Anne’s research also highlights how cities engage in transnational networks as an active part of their work on addressing climate change, and whether collaboration and knowledge exchange at the city level offer new policy instruments and approaches to managing the climate crisis.
More recently, her research has focused on the relationship between technology, disaster management, and resilience in the EU, and how municipalities and emergency organisations use social media to communicate with and gather information from citizens.