From Hazard to Vulnerability: Advancing Interprofessional and Inclusive Approaches in Disaster Preparedness Education

Széchenyi István Egyetem

Multidiszciplináris Műszaki Tudományi Doktori Iskola

Szép János

Nurullah Bektas

építőmérnöki tudományok

"The paradigm of disaster management is shifting from a narrow focus on hazards to a broader emphasis on vulnerability reduction, proactive strategies, and multi-agency partnerships. Disaster preparedness education sits at the center of this transformation but remains underdeveloped in both scope and evaluation. Existing programs often prioritize the general population while neglecting vulnerable groups such as older adults, individuals with disabilities, and marginalized communities. Moreover, while interprofessional training and simulated disaster drills have shown promise in fostering teamwork, clarifying roles, and improving collaborative responses, the long-term effects and comparative benefits of such educational strategies remain insufficiently studied.
This PhD research aims to advance disaster preparedness education by integrating interprofessional competencies, inclusivity, and evidence-based evaluation. It will investigate how simulated disaster drills and collaborative training models can enhance preparedness outcomes across diverse disciplines, while also examining how vulnerable populations can be more effectively included in these initiatives. Particular attention will be paid to identifying robust outcome measures that capture behavioral change, role awareness, and long-term resilience.
By combining insights from disaster risk reduction, public health, and education sciences, this study will produce a framework for comprehensive and inclusive disaster preparedness education. Its findings will contribute to evidence-based policy development and the design of training programs that not only prepare responders but also empower communities, especially the most vulnerable, to manage risks effectively across all phases of a disaster. "

2026-08-31