With the proper organization and support, the University of California's extensive talent pool represents one of the most powerful disaster resilience clusters in the world. Our ability to tackle extreme challenges is enhanced through collaboration across academic, NGO, community, and governmental sectors. Only by working together comprehensively will we advance the science of disaster resilience, uniquely addressing the complex, interconnected challenges that threaten communities across California and the globe.
This approach high-octanes our Core Operational Pillars:
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Coordinate
UCDRN excels in uniting diverse stakeholders within and beyond the UC System to address urgent and complex challenges. By leveraging our network, we ensure that resources and expertise are mobilized efficiently to create effecient and effective solutions.
Facilitate
At our core, UCDRN is an institute for multi-disciplinary collaboration. We bring together experts, practitioners, and thought leaders to foster innovative approaches and synergies that exceed the capabilities of individual efforts.
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Educate
UCDRN is committed to training the next generation of leaders who are adept at navigating and mitigating the cascading effects of compounding disasters and poly-crises. Our educational initiatives are designed to equip individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to tackle increasingly complex challenges.
Investigate
Leveraging the University of California’s unparalleled research capabilities, UCDRN is at the forefront of advancing knowledge on resilience. We focus on translating cutting-edge research into practical strategies to enhance societal resilience against escalating disasters.
Thanks to The Rudi Schulte Family Foundation, Mr. Dick Beahrs, and Mr. Mark Bertlesen, after years of grassroots organizing across and beyond the University of California, UCDRN formally launches in the midst of the Covid 19 Pandemic.
2021
*Organizational structure is consolidated and augmented systemwide, with visionary leadership recruited from all campuses and key external partners.
* Key cross-sectoral partnerships with top NGOs, government, private, and international stakeholders undertaken.
* Wildfire resilience research incubated in collaboration with the UC Natural Reserve System; backed by The Moore Foundation.
* Campus-based Committees (CbC) established at UCSB and UCR; explored at several other campuses.
2022
*Advisory Board (Chair Mark Bertlesen) and Governance Council (Chair LeRoy Westerling, Merced; Co-Chair Sec. Janet Napolitano, Berkeley) established.
* First systemwide disaster resilience course, launched from UC Berkeley with support of UCOnline
* Inaugural "UC Disaster Resilience Day" convened cross-sectoral leadership at UC Center Sacramento.
* Global collaborations with leading public research universities in South American and Western Europe commenced.
2023
2024
* Augmenting teaching, research, and service-based partnerships across all UC campuses.
* Wildfire resilience research advanced regionally with UCNRS, key Santa Barbara community reps, & UCDRN @UCSB & UC Merced.
* Institutionalized programmatic and administrative gains-to-date.
GAINS TO-DATE INCLUDE:
* Education- hybrid Disaster Resilience Studies portfolio expands by 400%; dozens of affiliated courses listed. Exploring comprehensive and strategic systemwide offerings with UCOnline.
* Research - constellation of independent, symbiotic resilience centers (climate policy; seismic; wildfire; cyber; community research, etc.) under consideration across several campuses.
2025-Beyond
- Association of Pacific Rim Universities
- The 2025 EY Open Science AI & Data Challenge
- California Council on Science & Technology
- Microsoft AI for Good
- American Red Cross' Disaster Preparedness Center
* Administration - Chancellor engagement at several campuses as UCDRN leadership close in on potential endownment.
Governance
UCDRN is a multi-layered organization, enabling critical collaboration and input at every level of our organizational structure.
The Executive Committee is responsible for proposing and managing UCDRN’s policies, programs and other activities with members appointed by the University Council.
The University Council is the primary governance body, representing all key units in the UC system and providing guidance on strategy, policies and programs.
Campus-based Committees organize local networks, activities, and inputs from particular UC units and nominate representatives to the University Council.
The Advisory Board is a renowned group of external professionals who advise the UCDRN on policies, partnerships, research opportunities, fundraising, outcomes, and reports.
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Our network
We convene experts from across the UC system’s 10 campuses, 5 medical centers, and 3 national labs.
230,000 faculty and staff
UCDRN has access to one of the deepest talent pools in the world, covering more than 160 academic disciplines.
10 Campus-based committees
UCDRN’s strength is in its ability to amplify strengths and resources at the campus level and connect them to broader, system-wide initiatives.
Partnerships
Robust partnerships capable of pooling collective talents are not nice but necessary in order to better prepare for, reduce the risk of, respond to and recover from disasters.
Leading Sectoral Expertise
UCDRN’s Advisory Board helps guide our programmatic work and contains everyone from former elected officials to CEOs of international corporations.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
The University of California was founded to ensure broad, equitable access to quality higher education as a fundamental right. Our world-class system has uniquely provided long-term societal benefits through excellence in research, teaching and public service. UCDRN supports and is committed to advancing this critical social contract; our University's policy statement on diversity; and equitable access to opportunity, civility, respect for differences -- with a deep appreciation for diversity in all its forms.
What's next?
We’ve made significant strides to date consolidating and augmenting our early wins in close collaboration with key partners across the system including UC Office of the President.