First UB Extreme Event Forum
UB2020 Strategic Strength on Extreme Events: Mitigation and Response
Monday, October 8, 2007
UB North Campus
Review of the First UB 2020 Forum on Extreme Events
Over 35 faculty members met on Monday, October 8, 2007 to discuss UB’s 2020 initiative, and how to join forces to effectively work together to reduce the impact of extreme events on society. Hosted by MCEER, the meeting included a diverse group from a variety of departments, including Communication, Civil, Industrial and Mechanical Engineering, Geology, Geography, Management, Medicine, Microbiology & Immunology, Psychiatry, Social Work, and Urban & Regional Planning.
Alex Cartwright, Vice Provost for Strategic Initiatives, provided an overview of UB’s 2020 initiative. He told the group that the university is committed to supporting its eight strategic strengths by providing a structure to organize and enhance collaborative opportunities, identifying and competing for funding sources, and incorporating metrics to measure success.
Harvey Stenger, Chair of the Coordinating Committee of Deans for this strategic strength, stressed the importance of developing dual-use technologies that will both improve safety and enhance or add value to infrastructure. He also reviewed the hiring plan for the 27 positions identified to support this strategic strength.
Michel Bruneau, Chair, Faculty Advisory Committee for this strategic strength, discussed the activities that have taken place since the first white paper was drafted, and the current operating structure. Achievements include NOAA funding of a multidisciplinary project led by Chris Renschler, the development of a detailed website dedicated to this strategic strength, and a directory of participants.
Next, each person introduced themselves, and gave a brief overview of their research interests and achievements. They also identified others in the group that they have collaborated with in the past, or plan to in the future.
The group then divided into two working groups in a break-out session on the following broad subject areas: Human Factors and Response and Recovery for Disasters Affecting Large Geographic Areas. Valuable exchanges took place, and the participants have committed to monthly working meetings to communicate on a regular basis and advance the goals of this strategic strength.
Future meetings of the entire group to continue these discussions will be planned in the coming months.
Download the presentations:
Agenda
