Centre for Disaster Studies

Centre Overview

The Centre for Disaster Studies, established in 2023, is a multidisciplinary collaborative research center encompassing the Departments of Geography, Social Work, Psychology, and Sociology in the main campus of the University. The Centre offers a Dual Main Master’s Programme in Disaster Management, designed to provide a comprehensive academic learning of disaster risk and vulnerability from a multidisciplinary perspective. Its primary objective is to develop effective interventions to reduce disaster risks and build resilience at various levels. The Centre's overarching vision is to become a hub of excellence in disaster research and education, dedicated to reducing vulnerability and enhancing societal resilience to disaster events.

Objective of the Centre
  • Conduct multidisciplinary academic programme and professional training in disaster management to build human resource capacity for managing disaster risk and vulnerability
  • Foster as a knowledge and research hub in community-centric disaster vulnerabilities and resilience studies
  • Offer outreach programmes to vulnerable communities and Panchayat Raj Institution members in disaster-affected areas.
  • Facilitate collaborative research projects and consultancies in disaster management and mitigation.
Programmes offered
Multi-disciplinary Dual Main Masters in Disaster Management with any of the following specialization 
  • MSW and Disaster Management 
  • MSc in Geography and Disaster Management 
  • MSc in Psychology and Disaster Management 
  • MA in Sociology and Disaster Management
Programme Specific Outcomes (PSOs)

PSO 1. Understand the natural and social aspects concerning disasters and disaster management mechanisms.

PSO 2. Analyse critically social and ecological vulnerabilities, hazards and resilience. 

PSO 3. Apply systems thinking and critical thinking skills to analyse problems and potential solutions in socio-economic-ecological systems at the human-environment interface.

PSO 4. Critically analyse and apply existing global and national level frameworks and policies in disaster risk reduction and mitigation.

PSO 5. Demonstrate competence in using technology for disaster management and mitigation.

PSO 6. Work effectively in interdisciplinary and multicultural real-world contexts to combine theory and practice in responding to local to global issues for humans and non-humans

PSO 7. Engage and develop participatory community-based risk reduction plans thereby empowering the communities. 

Structure of the Programme
This course is designed to integrate the latest scientific and technological aspects of disaster management along with multidisciplinary aspects from Geography, Psychology, Social work and Sociology disciplines. The course structure consists of field studies in disaster prone areas community camps, institutional visits related to disaster management, practical training on disaster management skills and internships. The course is aimed to equip students to build careers in the areas of disaster management including professional, research and academics. Similarly, the course is designed as a multidisciplinary curriculum with entry into research and academic opportunities at national and international universities. Furthermore, dual post-graduation helps students get all the conventional career opportunities existing in the domain of Social work, Geography, Psychology and Sociology.
Research, Development and Consultancies
  • Conducted a consultancy project on Akkulam-Veli Wetland Degradation and Flooding Susceptibility in Thiruvananthapuram City, funded by the Socio-Economic Unit Foundation, Thiruvananthapuram 
  • Facilitated Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) for the Tsunami Ready Programme in Edavanakkad Panchayat (Ernakulam district) and Purakkad Panchayat (Alappuzha district), funded by the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA).
  • Carried out a Hazard, Risk, and Vulnerability Assessment for Upputhara Grama Panchayat, supported by the Panchayat.
  • Organized a School Safety and Awareness Programme in selected schools in Ernakulam district, with support from the GeoHazard Society, New Delhi.
  • Marked International Disaster Risk Reduction Day celebrations in 2023 and 2024, supported by KSDMA.
  • Performed a skit on Natural Disasters and Rights Awareness as part of the State Children’s Human Rights Commission event on 22.11.2024.
  • Conducted life-saving and civil defence training supported by the Fire and Rescue Department, Government of Kerala.
Publication and Awards
Dr. Sarun S, Coordinator of the centre published research article on Geospatial based AHP analysis for Suitability of  Elephants and the effects of Human Elephant Conflict in  a Tropical forest in Western Ghats in the   European Journal of Wildlife  Research ( Springer Nature)
Facilities and Infrastructure
  • The Disaster Community lab in the Centre acts as a window for documenting best practices of the communities for the disaster mitigation and traditional knowledge in disaster management which is first of its kind in the country.
  • Equipment and resources requiring Life Saving in the case  of emergency situation
Student Activities and Support

Club

  • Disaster Management Actin Club ( DiMAC) constituted as an students club for conducting sensitization and awareness programme on disaster management  and other outreach programme outside the university campus 
Outreach Programme 
  • Skit played students in the as part of State Children Human Rights Commission on 22.11.2024 on the topic Natural Disaster and Disaster  
Achievements
  • A team of students from the Disaster Management Programme won the First Runner-up Trophy in the National Conference and Social Work Students’ Meet held at LISSA College, Kozhikode.
  • Mr. Shadiya K.K., a first-semester student, won the first prize in the poster-making competition at the International Conference and Social Work Students’ Meet held at LISSA College, Kozhikode.
  • Ms. Aiswarya V P and Mr. Shadiya, first-semester Disaster Management students, secured the first prize in the debate competition at the International Conference and Social Work Students’ Meet held at LISSA College, Kozhikode.
  • Mr. Aswin Ashok and Amrutha N secured the second prize in the debate competition at the Conference and Social Work Students’ Meet held at LISSA College, Kozhikode.
  • Amrutha N. secured the second prize in the paper presentation competition at the National Conference and Social Work Students’ Meet held at LISSA College, Kozhikode.
  • Ms. Aiswarya V P, first year Disaster Management student won third prize in the elocution competition organised by Kerala State Forest and Wild life Department on October 2nd in Ernakulam as part of the Wild Life Week Celebration.
Scholarship
  • Ms. Ashmi Subair and Ms. Shadiys KK  I year students received Zero One Fellowships from Zero Foundation   for orientation programme on Social Work for Youth from 10-17 January 2025 West Bengal
Contact Information
Dr. Sarun S
Coordinator 
Centre for Disaster Studies
SSUS Main Campus
Mob : 9746396112
Industry connection
  • GeoHazard Society (GHS), New Delhi and Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to formalize partnership and facilitate joint disaster management initiatives and climate change initiatives. This partnership can embark on impactful projects, research endeavours, community outreach programs and internships opportunities
  • Collaboration with Fire and Rescue Department for Life Saving Skill training for the students of disaster management programme

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