Disastrous Doctorates

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Disastrous Doctorates

Disastrous Doctorates brings together PhD students who research disaster related topics. The Disastrous Doctorates workshop takes place annually in New Zealand.

This year's workshop will be held in Auckland, 11 - 13 July 2022. It will be a two-day workshop with an fieldtrip on the third day. The purpose of Disastrous Doctorates is to bring together doctoral students from all disciplines with interest in disaster-related research. Disastrous Doctorates is based in New Zealand. However, we welcome international PhD students who can make it to the workshop.

The workshop aims to help students build relationships and networks within the disaster field. It is also designed to encourage conversations about the challenges involved in completing a PhD, including writing a proposal, methodologies, funding, publishing, completion, etc. The workshop tries to foster an open and friendly environment where students can talk honestly about their PhD experiences in the field of disaster research.

19/10/2025

⌛ There's just 5 days left to submit your Expression of Interest (EOI) to attend 2026!

👉🏽If you're a NZ-based PhD or Masters student doing disaster-related research then this in-person conference is for you:

Disastrous Doctorates
9 - 10 February
University of Otago
Ōtepoti Dunedin

👨‍🎓Share you work and make connections within the wider interdisciplinary field of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), and get support and advice for your project and future career.

Help us spread the word, and REGISTER NOW! ➡️ https://forms.gle/p85rjPVadN2V8Sf2A

University of Auckland - Waipapa Taumata Rau, Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington, Massey University - Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa, The University of Waikato, University of Canterbury, Lincoln University, QuakeCoRE: NZ Centre for Earthquake Resilience, Natural Hazards Commission Toka Tū Ake, Earth Sciences New Zealand Te Wānanga o Aotearoa

10/10/2025

📢 Expressions of Interest (EOI) for attending Disastrous Doctorates 2026 are now OPEN! Please share this post far and wide around Aotearoa New Zealand ➡️

🤝Join us at the University of Otago in Ōtepoti Dunedin on 9 & 10 February 2026. More detail is available in the registration form below 👇

is an annual, interdisciplinary, multi-day, in-person symposium for PhD and Masters students doing disaster-related research. It's a great forum to connect, share research, present findings, and learn about career management from others 👨‍🎓.

👥 Organised by students for students, this annual event fosters a community among researchers from diverse fields, including , , , , , and more!

🙏 The symposium is generously supported by New Zealand research centres and aligned organisations (but other financial sponsors welcome to get in touch to help us enable more students to come😁).
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ℹ️ Submit your EOI via this link➡️ https://forms.gle/p85rjPVadN2V8Sf2A

🗓️EOI open until 24 October 2025 - so submit your interest now so you don't miss out on this great opportunity!
_______________________________

🔥 We hope to see you there!

University of Auckland - Waipapa Taumata Rau, Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington, University of Otago, Massey University - Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa, The University of Waikato, University of Canterbury, Lincoln University, QuakeCoRE: NZ Centre for Earthquake Resilience, Natural Hazards Commission Toka Tū Ake, Earth Sciences New Zealand

29/07/2025

📣 Save the Date! 🗓️

We’re excited to let you know that Disastrous Doctorates 2026 will be held on 9 and 10 February at the University of Otago in Ōtepoti Dunedin. More details and expressions of interest are coming soon – but for now, mark your calendars and get ready with your disastrous research!

10/02/2025

DD2025 at The University of Waikato
Thank you all for attending the symposium. See you all next year.

Natural Hazards Commission Toka Tū Ake QuakeCoRE: NZ Centre for Earthquake Resilience School of Engineering - University of Waikato

10/02/2025

It is with deep shock and sadness that we share the sudden passing of Distinguished Professor David Johnston on Sunday, 19 January, following a medical event.

David was a founding mentor, a steadfast supporter and a passionate advocate for Disastrous Doctorates. His unwavering commitment to helping others—especially students in the disaster field—touched countless lives. Many of us would not be on this PhD journey without his generosity, whether through funding, supervision, advocacy, knowledge-sharing or simply creating opportunities for us to be heard.

“We express our deep gratitude to Distinguished Professor David Johnston for his dedication to supporting emerging researchers and championing the establishment of Disastrous Doctorates in 2006. His inspiration will live on through DD alumni throughout New Zealand and around the world.”
—Disastrous Doctorates founders, Tom Wilson, Caroline Orchiston and Julia Becker

David made space for so many, and his impact is immeasurable. As Disastrous Doctorates continues to grow, his legacy will live on, guiding and inspiring the next generation of disaster scholars.

Thank you, David. From all the past, present and future DD students.

We paid tribute to David at the Disastrous Doctorates 2025.

17/10/2024

Join us for the Disastrous Doctorates 2025 at the University of Waikato, Hamilton.

To register your interest, please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/2h1RXV36pSnTcZwE7

Deadline: 25 November

For more details, visit our website: https://sites.google.com/view/dd2k25?usp=sharing

Hurry up, seats are limited!
Please complete the form as soon as possible if you require travel and accommodation support.

14/10/2024

🌟 **Get ready for Disastrous Doctorates 2025!** 🌟

Join us for this exciting symposium that brings students across Aotearoa New Zealand to showcase groundbreaking, multi-disciplinary disaster research! 🚨🌍

🗓 **18th Annual Event:** January 30th-31st, 2025
📍 **Location:** University of Waikato, Hamilton

Stay tuned for further details and the expression of interest! It's going to be an event you won't want to miss!!

05/02/2024

Thank you to everybody who attended Disastrous Doctorates 2024! It was great to hear everybody's 3MTs and from the very knowledgeable keynotes!
Thank you to the sponsors: Toka Tū Ake EQC, Te Hiranga Rū QuakeCoRE: NZ Centre for Earthquake Resilience, and Resilience to Nature's Challenges (credit to Jenny Stein for the great pic!!)
We will be sending out a feedback form and registration of interest for organising the 2025 event shortly

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