Disaster and Emergency Management BSc (Hons) with foundation year

Learn to identify the fundamentals of disaster and emergency management in both research and practice. The key terminology used across the sector will be introduced and discussed, using case studies for context.

The module examines key legislation and guidance for emergency and disaster management in the UK and other countries such as the USA, Philippines and New Zealand. It invites discussion on how social, economic and political contexts shape disasters, their management and responses to them. Develop your skills in leadership, management, organisation and communication while gaining insight into the roles of emergency response organisations at various stages of the disaster cycle.

Compulsory

Consider your place in the world, how the issues of the present and past shape and impact the future, and the role you may play in it all. This exciting module covers a range of topics that define disasters and emergencies, and how we respond and recover from them.

Themes include, but are not limited to, climate change, globalisation, conflict, resource and energy crisis and poverty. These challenges all create and exacerbate emergencies and disasters alongside other wider vulnerabilities in communities. Efforts are being made to meet these challenges, from major global initiatives such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to grassroots movements such as Extinction Rebellion and Black Lives Matter. These initiatives are introduced and critiqued in terms of their relevance and applicability to a range of contexts and issues.

Compulsory

Identify the meaning and importance of societal resilience on a local, national and international level. Disasters and emergencies affect the whole of society, but those most adversely affected are often in vulnerable groups and hazardous locations. Enhancing resilience in these societies could help reduce casualties and damage.

This module considers different approaches to enhancing societal resilience, including international drivers and best practice examples and the challenges with undertaking this kind of work.

Compulsory

Learn the sector-specific fundamentals relating to disasters, emergencies and the humanitarian sector. Study contemporary threats and challenges and discuss various case studies and scenarios. Implement current practices, principles and guidance used in the sector to meet these challenges.

Gain an understanding of project and cost management for a range of programmes such as humanitarian assistance, including an introduction to stakeholders involved and how projects can be sustainable and beneficial to a wide range of groups.

Compulsory

Modern society has a number of complex and interconnected challenges, from climate change, natural hazards and wars to a range of anthropogenic industrial, economic and environmental threats. This module addresses the causes and perceptions of risk and the notion of risk appetite and acceptability of risk. It also covers theoretical principles of risk management, including risk assessment methods and tools.

Learn to analyse the statutory duties, statutory and non-statutory guidance relevant to emergencies and planning approaches. This includes applying your knowledge to review and improve approaches to integrated arrangements for dealing with emergencies.

Teaching includes multiple case studies to help you develop your abstract reasoning skills and enable your value judgement in a wide range of scenarios dealing with the modern risk environment.

Compulsory

As the world becomes more interconnected, more organisations are becoming dependent on each other for products, services and information. This creates more development opportunities but also more risk. This module examines organisational resilience as a concept and growing industry practice that encompasses risk management, business continuity and crisis management practices and principles.

Organisational resilience is important and applicable across a range of sectors involving stakeholders and shareholders. Explore a range of case studies and activities to gain an understanding of this increasingly important topic. Learn about Business Continuity Management Systems (BCMS), standards, good practice guidelines and theories. Explore future challenges for organisations, including (but not restricted to) cyber security, climate change impacts, supply chain management issues and stakeholder and market challenges.

Compulsory

Gain an understanding of theories and approaches to training and exercising in the context of UK emergency management.

Learn how to critically assess and evaluate generic principles of training and apply them to the training needs for emergency management in the UK.

Evaluate approaches to exercising emergency response and recovery plans and observe, participate in and develop emergency management training events and exercises.² Analyse the requirements of ‘Integrated Emergency Management’ and expand your understanding and application to a multi-agency context.

Module content links to the Civil Contingencies Act, guidance from the Civil Contingencies Secretariat (CCS) and national occupational standards in civil contingencies and comparative international approaches.

Compulsory

Learn the interlink between risk reduction measures and the built environment, and how this demonstrates its importance for community resilience. Think critically about place, space and community from a historical, ethical, economic, design and resilience perspective.

Explore the processes of integrated physical developments in settlements of various sizes, focusing on urbanisation and urban resilience nationally and internationally. Learn the theories and concepts of urban design, which should develop your ability to conceptualise, practise and critically evaluate the design of urban sites for sustainable and resilient communities.

Compulsory

This module provides you with an opportunity to reflect upon and gain experience for an approved placement² undertaken during your programme. A placement should usually be at least 26 weeks or equivalent; however, each placement will be considered on its own merits, having regard to the ability to achieve the learning outcomes.

Optional

This module provides you with an opportunity to reflect upon and gain experience for an approved international study/work placement² undertaken during your programme. A work/study placement should usually be at least 26 weeks or equivalent; however, each placement will be considered on its own merits, having regard to the ability to achieve the learning outcomes.

Optional

This module builds on previous discussions around community and resilience. Learn concepts of recovery and reconstruction with a focus on future development and sustainability. Recovery and sustainable reconstruction come with challenges. These will be highlighted using a variety of case studies from across the world. Reconstruction methods, approaches and the involvement of communities in construction design and delivery will be examined. Sustainability is key to the success of recovery and reconstruction for longer-term resilience. This concept will be integrated throughout the module.

Compulsory

This module draws together key concepts of Disaster and Emergency Management (DEM) that will impact the sector both now and in the future.

Learn to evaluate and analyse key concepts and debates regarding governance systems associated with emergencies and humanitarian response. Gain the necessary knowledge and skills for policy formulation and development to be able to critically assess issues relating to systems for emergency preparedness and humanitarian response in a range of contexts, including the UK and middle-income and developing countries.

Gain the analytical skills necessary for policy formulation, decision-making, inter-agency cooperation and coordination. Familiarise yourself with macro factors that have been instrumental in shaping the practice and direction of travel for disaster organisations and agencies.

Compulsory

Extend your fieldwork skills using methodologies and techniques in a non-UK setting.² Investigate a field study location, underpinned with a knowledge of health and safety issues while in the field. Understand emergency planning systems, disaster mitigation and prevention techniques, recovery and reconstruction strategies.

The country and region of study, as well as the methodologies to be used, will be studied in preliminary lectures. This will involve data collection, critical debate and group work to investigate selected themes.

The module aims to enhance your academic, professional, cultural awareness, language skills, and personal adaptability – all of which are highly valued by employers.

Compulsory

Develop your research and investigative skills by scoping, designing and conducting an independent research dissertation under the supervision of academic staff experienced in the field.

Module content aims to improve your understanding of problem identification, reviewing literature and research design, and the development and implementation of appropriate methods. You will be supported to conduct research independently and to plan, manage, and conduct research within an appropriate context.

This includes the development of an understanding of:

• research design and methodology
• ethical considerations of research
• health and safety concerns (including, where appropriate, risk assessments)
• research methods for technical, scientific and social science investigations
• project management
• data collection, interpretation and analysis
• report writing.

Compulsory