Participatory approaches to disaster risk research and education

This workshop drew on Lancaster University’s research on the role of children and young people in disaster recovery and resilience building. The session explored some of the creative, participatory methods used on the UK Economic and Social Research Council project, Children, Young People and Flooding: Recovery and Resilience (2014–16) and the European Commission H2020 project CUIDAR: Cultures of Disaster Resilience among Children and Young People (2015–18). These methods encouraged children to explore their local environment, to share and reflect on their knowledge and experiences and to contribute as actors to community resilience building. The workshop introduced educational and community engagement materials the Lancaster team has developed from the research data, including the ‘Flood Snakes & Ladders’ simulation game, which invites participants to walk in the shoes of flood-affected children and thereby consider how to plan better for future disasters.