- Academics from the UK, India and Taiwan team up to tackle disaster resilience and sustainability
- Project aims to build adaptive capacity and foster science-driven disaster response in vulnerable regions
- Fieldwork and collaboration with local communities at the heart of new post-2030 global development efforts.
Mountain cities across Asia, increasingly vulnerable to natural hazards, are set to benefit from a new tri-national partnership aimed at strengthening resilience, disaster risk reduction, and sustainable development. The initiative, led by Aston University in Birmingham, brings together researchers and emergency responders from the UK, India and Taiwan to develop practical, science-driven solutions for some of the world’s most at-risk urban regions.
At the heart of the project is Aston University’s commitment to bringing together like-minded international partners, including the London Fire Brigade and the West Midlands Local Resilience Forum, to contribute to post-2030 global development and disaster risk reduction strategies. Academics from five Aston University departments are working alongside ten counterparts overseas to co-create new knowledge through action-based research.
To launch the collaboration, a four-day conference and study tour – the Adaptive Capacity, Resilience, and Sustainability (ACRS-2025) event – took place in Hualien City, Taiwan. Hosted by the Center for Sustainable Development at National Dong Hwa University, participants visited the Hualien Disaster Prevention Education Center, observed county-wide emergency simulation exercises, and held discussions with the CEO of The Tzu Chi Foundation to strengthen the trilateral partnership.
Working closely with national and local governments, technical agencies, NGOs and community groups, the partnership will undertake field research aimed at scaling up community-led adaptation, promoting digital technologies for disaster resilience, and ensuring science-based policy integration. Aston University hopes the collaboration will serve as a global model for academic, governmental and community partnerships tackling climate and disaster risks.
Professor Lucy Bastin, from Aston University's School of Computer Science and Digital Technology, said:
“In rapidly changing global environmental conditions, promoting adaptive capacity in mountain regions is crucial. Key actions include strengthening community-based efforts through digital technologies, scaling up ecosystem-based adaptation strategies, and ensuring science-based knowledge sharing and policy integration.”
Professor Chun-Hung Lee, dean of the Center for Sustainable Development at National Dong Hwa University, said:
“The main objective of this international initiative is to strengthen Taiwan-UK-India academic collaboration and knowledge exchange activities for safer and secure communities around the world.”
Professor Deepak Pant, dean of the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences at the Central University of Himachal Pradesh, said:
“In recent years, Himachal Pradesh has witnessed multiple disaster events, impacting communities across South Asia. We are grateful to Aston University for spearheading this important collaboration and we are committed to advancing this partnership.”
Dr Komal Raj Aryal of Aston University noted:
“Having worked across ASEAN countries on disaster regimes and humanitarian innovation, we are excited to expand our activities into South and Northeast Asia to further strengthen local resilience.
“Aston University’s academics are dedicated to facilitating transformative and impactful initiatives that align with emerging global development agendas in the post-2030 context.”
Luke Martin, senior resilience planning coordinator at the West Midlands Local Resilience Forum, said:
“This visit highlights the vital role Aston University academics play in transforming the West Midlands’ approach to crisis and emergency response through international best practices and knowledge-sharing.”
- Notes to Editors
About Aston University
For over 130 years, Aston University has been making our world a better place through education, research and innovation. Our history is intertwined with the remarkable city of Birmingham, once the heartland of the Industrial Revolution and now the thriving base for an innovation ecosystem of global significance, which Aston is co-creating.
Our vision is to be a leading university for science, technology and enterprise, measured by the positive transformational impact we achieve for our people, students, businesses and the communities we serve.
Aston focuses on high-quality, exploitable research that has an impact on society through medical breakthroughs, advancements in engineering, policy and practice in government, and the strategies and performance of business.
The university offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes, as well as continuing professional development solutions.
Thanks to its focus on delivering excellent outcomes for students, Aston University's reputation continues to grow. It was recognised as the Daily Mail University of the Year for Student Success 2025, is 2nd in England for social mobility (2023 HEPI Social Mobility Index), and is top 20 for graduate salaries (2024 Longitudinal Education Outcomes).
Aston University is now defining its place in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (and beyond) within a rapidly changing world.
For media inquiries in relation to this release, contact Sam Cook, Press and Communications Manager, on (+44) 7446 910063 or email: s.cook2@aston.ac.uk
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