Workshop Details

Everyone at the Natural Hazards Workshop has important information to share. As such, Workshop sessions are organized to encourage maximum interaction.

Panelists address topics by responding to questions prepared by moderators rather than by presenting papers. The audience also plays an important role. Initial panelist remarks are limited to 10 minutes each, leaving at least half of every session for audience interaction.

Program Structure

The Workshop is divided into plenary sessions, concurrent sessions, new research and projects sessions, poster sessions, and extracurricular activities. Plenty of time is reserved for networking during 30-minute breaks and 90-minute lunches.

Poster Sessions: On Sunday and Monday evening of the Workshop, participants are invited to present posters on programs, new projects, or recent research. Posters are available for viewing throughout the Workshop.

Welcome and Self-Introductions: On Monday morning, Natural Hazards Center Director Lori Peek will formally open the 44th Annual Natural Hazards Workshop with a brief orientation and the long-standing tradition of moderating self-introductions. Everyone should be ready to stand up and say their name and affiliation to get the Workshop going!

Keynote Address: Immediately after the self-introductions, a keynote speaker will make a presentation followed by a question and answer session. The address will focus on this year’s theme of Convergence: Coming Together to Improve Hazards and Disaster Research, Practice, and Policy and provide the larger context for the Workshop.

Plenary Sessions: Plenary sessions on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday will synthesize various topics related to the theme of the Workshop. Each plenary session will have three to four panelists who represent different sectors of the hazards community including policy, practice, and research.

Concurrent Sessions: The Workshop features twenty concurrent sessions focused on the theme of the Workshop. Moderators will present the panelists with a set of questions which they’ve been given in advance. The panelists then each have about 10 minutes to respond. This reserves time for an open discussion between the audience and panelists. Keeping with longstanding tradition and the desire to promote maximum interaction, PowerPoint will not be used in concurrent sessions.

Recent Research and Projects Sessions: These one-hour sessions, to be held on Wednesday morning, give Workshop participants the opportunity to describe current or recently completed efforts, to exchange ideas, and to get feedback on their work.

Wrap Up: On Wednesday, the Center Director will close the Workshop with a summary of the highlights of the event and a charge for the hazards and disaster community moving forward in the coming year.

Session Guidelines

Those participating in the Workshop as a moderator or panelist will want to check out our Session Guidelines and advice for making your session a success.