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, book and community forums, roundtable social hours, new research and projects sessions, poster sessions, and other activities.

Poster Sessions: Virtual posters will be on display throughout the Workshop. Audience members are welcome to visit the posters at any time. A poster session on Monday evening will provide dedicated time to view presentations and speak with presenters. Participants are invited to present posters on programs, new projects, or recent research.

Sunday Sessions: While the Workshop officially kicks off Monday morning, we invite you to join us on Monday for poster viewing, listening sessions, and trainings on a range of topics of interest to hazards and disasters scholars, practitioners, policy makers, and students.

Welcome and Self-Introductions: On Monday morning, Natural Hazards Center Director Lori Peek will formally open the 47th Annual Natural Hazards Workshop with a brief orientation and the long-standing tradition of self-introductions. Everyone who is able should be ready to join a break-out room and say their name and affiliation to get the Workshop going!

Keynote Address: After the self-introductions and a quick break, the keynote speaker will make a presentation followed by a question and answer session. The address will focus on this year’s theme 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.

Book Forums: The Monday Book Forums are an opportunity for attendees to interact with authors and experts on hazards, disasters, and climate change. The forums will feature a brief synopsis of each book by its author, followed by a panel discussion of the work with experts in related fields. It is not necessary for audience members to read the book beforehand, although we hope you will.

Concurrent Sessions: The Workshop features 10 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.

Community Forums: In these moderated discussions, journalists frame the conversation by posing questions to a panel of experts. Their answers—and the input of the audience—create a space for deep exploration of topical issues. Attendees are encouraged to interact and share in these cameras-on, communitywide dialogues.

Roundtable Social Hours: Tuesday evening roundtable social hours are an opportunity for Workshop attendees to have informal conversations on individual topics of interest. These 60-minute sessions are lightly moderated by convenors and are largely driven by the interests, experience, and curiosity of the attendees. Attendees are encouraged to grab a drink or snack of choice, join with cameras on, and be ready to engage in a rich discussion.

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, exchange ideas, and get feedback on their work.

Wrap Up: On Wednesday, the Natural Hazards Center Director Lori Peek 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.


Poster Session Abstracts and Research and Practice Highlights

The Natural Hazards Center accepts Posters Abstracts and Research and Practice Highlights related to your recent work. Poster abstracts will be posted online and presented during the virtual workshop. Research and practice highlight abstracts are featured online and not for presentation.


Continuing Education Credits

Attendance at the Natural Hazards Workshop qualifies for preapproved education credits for Certified Floodplain Managers (CFM) and Certified or Associate Emergency Managers (CEM/AEM). Learn more about our continuing education credit offerings.