Dr. Holly Faulkner attended the Summer School in Evidence of Policy in DRM 2025 (https://civil-protection-knowledge-network.europa.eu/events/evidence-policy-disaster-risk-management-drm-summer-school-2025) hosted in Barcelona from September 29th to October 1st 2025, representing the DIRECTED project. This was an excellent opportunity to explore how other Horizon Europe projects and EU entities build capacity to better integrate scientific evidence into policy-making and operations. This included identifying and exploring both the opportunities and challenges.
The purpose of this summer school was closely aligned with the objectives of the DIRECTED project: to overcome silos between technical and political authorities. During the DIRECTED project this has been undertaken through a number of different methods including the promotion of the exchange and integration of information and knowledge. Furthermore, DIRECTED has strived to bridge the gap between scientific evidence and policy, through the creation of both interoperable risk modelling through the Data Fabric and more integrated risk governance through the development of the Risk Tandem Framework.
As part of the summer school, participants were able to engage with four different classes spanning a range of different topics. These interactive classes provided a great opportunity to work closely with researchers, policy makers and practitioners around Europe. Class 1 focused on Harnessing the economics of disaster risk management and smart investing tools. The interactive component of this lesson involved the “Stop Disasters” game (https://www.stopdisastersgame.org) where groups had to make decisions about the best strategies to protect the city from a future flood. It was interesting to experience this interactive game as it strongly reflects elements of the Multi-Criteria Analysis (MCA) tool which is currently being developed through the DIRECTED Project to assist policy and decision makers around selecting and evaluating disaster risk management and climate change adaptation strategies.
For Class 3: Cyber security incidents, blackouts, and energy disruptions as emerging disasters requiring private-public cooperation this involved putting disaster and emergency management for critical infrastructure into practice. The different roles involved in the interactive Table Top Exercise provided varying perspectives and goals when responding to disasters. This exercise highlighted the important role of interactive activities like Table Top Exercises in communicating complex risk-based concepts, an approach which the DIRECTED Real World Lab in the Rhine-Erft region have also taken when interacting with stakeholders.
Picture credit: Holly Faulkner
The focus of Class 4 was on Leveraging open-source data in crisis management and it aimed to support participants to assess open-source evidence of natural hazard or human induced crises. This included consideration of the growing role of AI. In groups the participants were tasked with communicating key elements of open-source data to decision-makers for a specific hazard event, whether an earthquake or ongoing conflict.
Finally, Class 7: Preparedness and resilience for managing the systemic risk of compounding disasters focused on providing an opportunity for participants to gain insights into strategies for enhancing preparedness for complex disasters. This was done through the interactive Paratus System Risk Board Game (version September 2025, https://www.paratus-project.eu/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Paratus-Flyer-A5_2023_no-ritaglio-1.pdf), which prompts participants to map cascading hazardous events and their impacts, alongside systemic risk and mitigation measures.
Picture credit: Holly Faulkner
This summer school has provided valuable insights and connections that can inform the final year of the DIRECTED project including our upcoming eLearning platform. This was an excellent opportunity to connect with others involved in decision-making, policy and practice for DRM, and to highlight the closely aligned ongoing work of the DIRECTED project!
For more information contact: Holly Faulkner at hfaulkner@ucc.ie