The element of surprise - why hazards become disasters, despite our experience

About the lecture

Dr Martin Parham (from The Humanitarian and Conflict Response Institute at University of Manchester) will discuss why hazards can become disasters, even in locations where they are common.

He will guide you through a series of recent hazards, including the LA fires (2025), the Myanmar earthquake (2025), the Pakistan floods (2025) and a look back at the White Island (Whakaari) eruption in New Zealand (2018). These examples will provide alternative case study material,  discuss the concepts of vulnerability and resilience and to assess disaster management efforts.

Dr Parham will also bring his experience of 20 years teaching in secondary education and of writing GCSE and A Level examinations to provide guidance on how to discuss hazard events in your A Level studies.

About the speaker

Dr Martin Parham is currently a Lecturer in Disaster Management at the University of Manchester.  He has interests in physical landscape, multi hazard risk, hazard perception, and disaster risk education.  He also creates simulations for students and teaches GIS.

He also teaches Environmental Science (for the Open University) and is currently the Chief Examiner for AQA Environmental Science Specification. Martin has 20 years' experience as a secondary school teacher and has led multiple geography departments.  He used to write GCSE and A Level Geography examinations for Pearson.

Booking details

School Members will be provided with a code to book this event via our regular email updates. If you are a School Member and require this code to book your free places, please email Claire at c.brown@rgs.org

This lecture is aimed at A level students. Students can attend with or without a teacher.

There is no limit on the number of tickets each School Member can book. Tickets must be booked in advance.