Propose a Session for the
2008 Annual Workshop
The Annual Hazards Research and Applications Workshop is designed to bring members of the research and applications communities together for face-to-face networking and discussion of cutting-edge issues related to hazards and disasters and society’s efforts to deal with them. It provides a dynamic, provocative, and challenging forum for the diverse opinions and perspectives of the hazards community.
A critical factor in achieving this type of interaction is the way in which the workshop sessions are organized. People serve as discussants (not speakers) on panels addressing various topics. The discussants, acting as representatives of their particular affiliations (e.g., local, state, or federal government; academia; private sector; and nongovernmental organizations), respond to questions prepared by session moderators. They do not present papers. Their responses bring diverse perspectives to the issue at hand.
The Natural Hazards Center invites you to propose a session topic for the 2008 Annual Hazards Research and Applications Workshop. Proposed session topics will provide guidance to the Center as we plan and prepare next year’s program. Session ideas may be modified, combined, or otherwise altered by the Center and submission of a topic does not guarantee inclusion on the program. There will be 4 plenary sessions, 20 concurrent sessions, and 10-12 new research and project sessions. Session topics must be submitted by November 16, 2007, to be considered.
Guidelines for a Successful Session Submission:
Below are some broad guidelines to help ensure that your session idea is fully considered:
- Suggest topics of broad interest to a diverse set of participants from a range of backgrounds.
- Consider new or cutting-edge issues in hazards and disaster research and practice.
- Avoid specific events unless they highlight crosscutting themes such as warning, social vulnerability, risk communication, etc. or deal with events of extraordinary magnitude.
- Propose panelists representing a spectrum of experience and backgrounds who will provide a balance between research, practice, and policy. Final panels will have only three panelists, but feel free to recommend more as possible backups.
- Submit a session idea even if you do not have specific panelists in mind.
- Try to avoid duplication of session topics from recent workshops.
- Include your name and contact information (required).
- Submit multiple session proposal forms if desired.