Visit of the President of University College London to the International
Research Institute of Disaster Science, Tohoku University（2023/10/5）
Theme：International Collaboration , Disaster Science
Place：IRIDeS, Tohoku University, Sendai, JapanOn the 5th of October 2023 (Thursday), Dr. Michael Pence, the President of University College
London (UCL), a strategic partner and a university with which we hold an inter-university
agreement, visited Tohoku University together with Prof. Alan Thompson (Dean of the UCL
Faculty of Brain Science and Pro Provost for London), Prof. Nigel Titchener-Hooker (Dean ofUCL Engineering), Mr. Ciaran Moynihan (Director of Global Engagement, Office of the Vice
Provost (Research, Innovation and Global Engagement), Mr. Nick Marsden (AssociateDirector of Development (Faculties), Office of Advancement), Ms. Tania Trosini (Head ofExternal Engagement and Operations, Office of the President and Provost), and Ms. Keiko
Tsunekawa (Global Engagement Manager, Office of Vice Provost (Research, Innovation andGlobal Engagement).
During this visit, a meeting was held between Dr. Pence and Prof. Hideo Ohno, the Presidentof Tohoku University. It reaffirmed the crucial partnership between UCL and our university
within the framework of our International Excellence Research University System. Building ondiscussions held in March this year with Prof. Toshiya Ueki, Executive Vice President for Cocreation Strategy, and Prof. Geraint Rees, Vice-Provost of UCL, this visit provided an
opportunity to exchange ideas regarding the future development of collaboration between twoinstitutions. Notably, the partnership in disaster research between UCL and IRIDeS hascontinued since the Great East Japan Earthquake, with researchers from both universities
actively engaging in not only joint research but also educational collaboration.
A meeting was also conducted between the UCL delegation and the IRIDeS. Prof. Shinichi
Kuriyama, Director of IRIDeS, emphasized the significance of collaboration with UCL in
disaster medicine and inclusive disaster prevention. Furthermore, discussions took place on
the continued utilization of medical data established since the Great East Japan Earthquake,
exploring the potential for diverse collaborative research spanning fields such as medicine,
particularly neurology, research on the elderly, engineering, and humanities.
In addition, a British student currently enrolled in our institute as a doctoral candidate, having
completed a Master's program at UCL, participated in the discussions. Specializing in tsunami
engineering, the student highlighted the importance of collaboration between sociology andtsunami engineering, particularly in the context of risk communication. Moreover, the student
underlined the significance of fieldwork conducted in the aftermath of the Great East Japan
Earthquake, which helped establish a trusted relationship with the IRIDeS.
Through this visit, the importance of collaboration between UCL and the IRIDeS was reaffirmed.
Under the leadership of our new director, Prof. Kuriyama, discussions were held on thedirection to advance disaster studies internationally, encompassing diverse fields such asmedicine, engineering, humanities, and involving stakeholders in disaster-related areas.
The visit and the meetings strengthened collaboration between the institutes, advanced
disaster research, and fostered lively discussions on student cooperation. As a result, theoutlook for future joint projects and collaborations has become clearer. The collaboration
between UCL and the IRIDeS holds the promise of further achievements.
Report by Miwako Kitamura (International Research Collaboration Office)Anawat Suppasri (Tsunami Engineering Lab)
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The exhibition space on the 1st floorof the IRIDeSThe meeting held at the IRIDeS

The special exhibition “Commemorating the100th Memorial of the Kanto Earthquake”

Commemorative photo with the UCL
President and the visiting delegation atIRIDeS