Vision: They envision a just and equitable world where knowledge is applied to ensure that humans live in harmony with nature.
Mission: They are the National Science Foundation-designated information clearinghouse for the societal dimensions of hazards and disasters. They are dedicated to reducing disaster harm through:
(1) translating and sharing hazards and disaster research and information;
(2) building connections between researchers, non-profit and private sector professionals, the media, policy makers, and local, state, and federal officials;
(3) advancing social science and interdisciplinary knowledge, with a special emphasis on the most vulnerable populations and places; and
(4) training and mentoring the diverse next generation of hazards and disaster professionals.
Every day, they work to empower a culture where all people are educated and inspired to take positive action to mitigate hazards losses and to build stronger communities.
A Brief History: The Natural Hazards Research and Applications Information Center was founded more than 40 years ago as a result of the landmark Assessment of Natural Hazards Research in the United States. Among the recommendations included in that publication, which would come to be known as the First Assessment, was that a national information clearinghouse be created to compile, translate, and share information, as well as connect the academic hazards research, emergency management, and policy communities. Shortly after the First Assessment was published, Gilbert F. White, who was the primary author of the work, led the charge to do just that. In 1976, he and his wife Anne—along with a small group of committed staff and students, at the University of Colorado Boulder—began what is today's Natural Hazards Center.
21st Century Purpose: More than four decades have passed, and the Natural Hazards Center is still an institution committed to creating a center of gravity for the hazards and disaster community. They care deeply about facilitating scientific and practice-oriented connections because we recognize that they are all living at risk, they are all interconnected, and they must all play a role in effectively responding to 21st century social and environmental challenges. Everything they do at the Center is informed by a justice and equity approach, and their core values are focused around their commitment to human dignity, collective wellbeing, scientific understanding, sustainable hazards mitigation, and environmental stewardship.
Who We Are: Our team currently includes a director, deputy administrator, professional staff, postdoctoral research associates, research associates, graduate student research assistants, and undergraduate research assistants. More than twenty tenured or tenure-track faculty members and advanced graduate students in the University of Colorado system have joined the Center as research affiliates. The work of the Center is guided by an Advisory Committee made up of partners from the public and private sector and academia. To actualize our vision and mission and to fulfill our organizational purpose, we work closely with a variety of people, decision-makers, and organizations.
