Preparing for the next Pandemic and Disaster (15 EC)

Are we prepared to face the next crisis, such as pandemics, floods or extreme heat? How can you help to minimize their impact?

The COVID-19 pandemic and the recent flooding of 2021 in the Southern Dutch provinces have revealed society's vulnerability to crises. The impact has been significant on healthcare, the economy, social cohesion and education. In the years ahead it is expected that societies will increasingly face minor and major disasters, like flooding, heat waves and global infectious disease outbreaks .
Our mission is to empower students in the realm of pandemic and disaster preparedness. Through interdisciplinary collaboration, we aim to enhance societal resilience, reduce vulnerability, and tackle the unpredictability and complexity of these challenges.

In this minor, we will use real-world cases like floods, heat waves and pandemics to dive into the background, challenges and opportunities of preparing society for future crises. We will equip you with knowledge about these disasters, including topics like early warning systems, forecasts and use of models, infectious disease control, behavioral sciences, societal impact and resilient health systems. You will also experience crisis through simulation exercises and learn to make informed decisions and take calculated risks in an interdisciplinary team.

Overview of the first module (10 weeks, 15 EC):
Week 1 Introduction
Week 2-4 Floods & resilience
Week 5-6 Heatwaves & vulnerability
Week 7-9 Pandemic & preparedness
Week 10 Integration and reflection

It's also possible to follow the 30 EC programme of this minor.

You will learn to navigate pandemic and disaster crises through the concepts of preparedness, resilience and vulnerability in an interdisciplinary team with the focus on the following overarching learning goals:

• Collaborate with peers, experts and societal stakeholders in high-pressure, interdisciplinary context
• Develop evidence-based interventions for complex crises
• Communicate about crisis scenarios and societal challenges in a clear and engaging way
• Reflect on self, values, and societal impact under crisis conditions

Students from all disciplinary backgrounds are warmly welcome and strongly encouraged to join this minor.
Whether you come from the social sciences, engineering, health, arts, or any other field, your unique perspective will enrich the learning experience. This minor values diversity in thought and approach – bringing together students from different disciplines to explore complex challenges from multiple angles.

Teaching methods
The minor will consist of the following activities:

• Lectures and seminars by different experts
• Skills seminars
• Guest lectures by stakeholders (e.g. Safety Regions, GGD, WHO)
• Field trips (e.g. Schiphol, RIVM, TU Green Village)
• Simulation exercices
• Group assignments
• Reflection portfolio and intervision
• Weekly meetings with group and supervisor to reflect & work on group assignments

Teaching materials
Teaching material consists of lecture slides, as well as articles or other additional reading provided by the lecturers.

Method of examination
The assessment of this minor will consist of the following parts:

• A reflection portfolio consisting of individual and group reflections
• Group assignments (3 during the first 10 weeks and 1 during the second 10 weeks)

Composition final grade

• 3 group assignments (100% in total)
• Simulation exercices Attendance (fail/pass)
• Individual reflections (fail/pass)