The images of people losing everything – including their lives – are accompanied by reporters and politicians referring to these disasters as “unexpected” and “shocking”, but “unavoidable” and “natural” events to which we must adapt.

But are these types of disasters really “natural”? Disasters don’t just cause suffering – they expose it. Those who are most marginalised in our societies are most harmed by them. However, for them, a disaster is not a sudden or unexpected danger. It is a continuation of everyday harm inflicted on them – but framing disasters as “natural” obscures this fact.

In her inaugural lecture, Professor Chmutina will explain why, instead of being “natural” events, disasters are a reflection and a manifestation of an unjust society.

She will explore why many disaster risk reduction and resilience building efforts actually re-construct the risk and re-create – even exacerbate – inequalities that eventually lead to further disaster. She will offer ways in which we can resist disaster risk creation through dialogue, empathy and humility – as well as the recognition of our collective ties, interconnections and vulnerabilities.