IDRiM Podcast

IDRiM Society

The IDRiM Podcast covers all things related to disasters. Whether it’s reviewing current and past disasters, exploring the latest research, providing a platform for young researchers to present their findings, or featuring senior researchers sharing their life stories and career journeys, the podcast delves into a wide range of topics in the field of disaster risk management. The IDRiM Society is a global network of experts, practitioners, and researchers dedicated to advancing the field of disaster risk management. The Society is based at Kyoto University, Japan.

  1. 6 DAYS AGO

    #59 - Avoidable Deaths Network: Canadian Chapter

    Summary: The interview features Dr. Ranjan Tata from the Canada chapter of the Avoidable Deaths Network, who focuses on disaster research through the lens of Indigenous and community led knowledge. He highlights the importance of centering the perspectives of Indigenous, racialized, and marginalized communities in understanding avoidable deaths, emphasizing that solutions should come from within communities rather than being imposed externally. The Canada chapter has developed through collaboration between students, academics, and community members, creating space for dialogue that connects lived experiences with broader issues such as climate change, forest fires, and inequality. As part of the global campaign, activities focused on interactive discussions and reflective learning, encouraging students to relate disaster risk to their own lives and communities. A key message is the need to rethink conventional approaches by recognising Indigenous knowledge as valid science and essential to prevention efforts, while future goals focus on influencing policy and practice through approaches that are rooted in community needs, self awareness, and long term sustainability. ADN website Link: https://www.avoidable-deaths.net/ Guests: Dr. Ranjan Datta (Mount Royal University, Canada) Co-Hosts: Dr. Mark Ashley Parry (Northumbria University, United Kingdom)Dr. Haris Rahadianto (Lund University, Sweden) Music: “Sunset” by Kai Engel, available at ⁠Free Music Archive⁠, licensed under CC BY 4.0.

    24 min
  2. 27 APR

    #58 - Avoidable Deaths Network: Creative Art/Literature + Bangladeshi Chapter

    Summary: The first interview explores how creative expression, particularly poetry, storytelling, and other artistic forms, is used to raise awareness about avoidable deaths across sub–Saharan Africa. Patience Andrew, a leader within Custodians of African Literature and an advisory board member for the Avoidable Deaths Network, explains how campaigns have engaged young creatives through spoken word, short stories, photography, and performance to highlight issues such as maternal mortality, conflict, and public health risks. By combining creative literature with wider artistic practices, the initiative aims to humanise statistics, amplify lived experiences, and encourage young people to take part in advocacy and social change. Overall, it highlights the power of creative arts to educate, connect communities, and inspire action on important global challenges. The second interview focuses on how awareness, education, and early warning systems are being used in Bangladesh to reduce avoidable deaths caused by natural hazards. Fatima Akter, a lecturer in meteorology and regional coordinator for the Avoidable Deaths Network, explains how the Bangladesh chapter works through universities to educate students, who then share this knowledge within their communities. Activities include public campaigns, media outreach, student marches, and practical support during disasters such as floods, where relief, health guidance, and safety information are provided. Emphasis is placed on forecasting, preparedness, and community engagement, with the aim of improving understanding of risks and ultimately reducing loss of life through informed action and local participation. ADN website Link: https://www.avoidable-deaths.net/ Guests: Ms. Patience Andrew (Custodians of African Literature, Nigeria)Prof. Fatima Akter (University of Dhaka, Bangladesh) Co-Hosts: Dr. Mark Ashley Parry (Northumbria University, United Kingdom)Dr. Haris Rahadianto (Lund University, Sweden) Music: “Sunset” by Kai Engel, available at ⁠Free Music Archive⁠, licensed under CC BY 4.0.

    34 min
  3. 3 APR

    #57 - Avoidable Deaths Network: Creative Arts + Indian Chapter

    Summary: The first interview explores the role of creative arts within the Avoidable Deaths Network (ADN), featuring Winifred Ekezie from Aston University. While positioned within the UK chapter, the discussion centres on how creative approaches, such as poster campaigns, blogs, and planned creative health initiatives, are used to communicate evidence on avoidable deaths in more engaging and accessible ways. Through annual campaigns, students research and visually present the top avoidable causes of death across different regions, transforming complex public health data into compelling, audience-friendly outputs. This creative process not only raises awareness but also helps translate research into practical understanding, showing how preventable risks, often health-related, can be reduced through informed action at individual and community levels. The second interview shifts to the India chapter, led by Dr. Pinnamaneni and Dr. Jena, and highlights its recent launch and early activities. As a university-hosted initiative, the chapter prioritizes building future leaders by engaging students, NGOs, and policymakers in understanding and addressing avoidable deaths. Key efforts include relaunch events, international conference participation, quiz competitions, and collaborative discussions with grassroots organizations and global partners such as UN agencies. The chapter aims to act as a platform that connects research, policy, and practice, encouraging multi-sector collaboration and translating evidence into real-world impact. Looking ahead, their goals focus on strengthening partnerships with government bodies, supporting disaster risk reduction efforts, and ensuring long-term capacity building to tackle avoidable deaths across India. Link: https://www.avoidable-deaths.net/Guests: Dr. Winifred Ekezie (Aston University, United Kingdom)Dr. Ramya Pinnamaneni (Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology, India)Dr. Pratap Kumar Jena (Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology, India) Co-Hosts: Dr. Mark Ashley Parry (Northumbria University, United Kingdom)Dr. Haris Rahadianto (Lund University, Sweden) Music: “Sunset” by Kai Engel, available at ⁠Free Music Archive⁠, licensed under CC BY 4.0.

    31 min
  4. 3 APR

    #56 - Avoidable Deaths Network: Taiwan Chapter

    Summary: This episode introduces the launch of the Taiwan chapter of the Avoidable Deaths Network (ADN), marking a new milestone in the global campaign for the International Awareness Day for Avoidable Deaths (IAD4AD). The initiative builds on Taiwan’s long-standing experience with natural hazards such as earthquakes, typhoons, landslides, and flooding. To celebrate the launch, a seminar will bring together local communities, educators, disaster risk experts, and government representatives to discuss preparedness and share experiences in reducing disaster-related risks and casualties. The Taiwan chapter aims to strengthen collaboration between academia, local governments, and communities while promoting disaster risk awareness and education. Key efforts include translating the concept of avoidable deaths into Mandarin to make it more accessible locally, sharing knowledge from international partners, and supporting vulnerable groups such as children and older adults through disaster risk education. By connecting local initiatives with global knowledge, the chapter hopes to advance practical actions that help communities better prepare for hazards and reduce avoidable deaths. Guests: Prof. Jie-Ru Chen (National Chi Nan University, Taiwan)Prof. Yi-Tzu Lin (National Chi Nan University, Taiwan) Co-Hosts: Dr. Mark Ashley Parry (Northumbria University, United Kingdom)Dr. Haris Rahadianto (Lund University, Sweden) Music: “Sunset” by Kai Engel, available at ⁠Free Music Archive⁠, licensed under CC BY 4.0.

    25 min

About

The IDRiM Podcast covers all things related to disasters. Whether it’s reviewing current and past disasters, exploring the latest research, providing a platform for young researchers to present their findings, or featuring senior researchers sharing their life stories and career journeys, the podcast delves into a wide range of topics in the field of disaster risk management. The IDRiM Society is a global network of experts, practitioners, and researchers dedicated to advancing the field of disaster risk management. The Society is based at Kyoto University, Japan.