As the world faces an increasing number of natural and anthropogenic disasters as well as complex emergencies such as food, insecurity and conflict, the need for effective disaster risk reduction and management has become a global challenge.

As urbanisation, globalisation and climate change impact low and middle income countries, the improvement of national and international disaster management systems has become a priority. In higher income countries where national disaster and emergency management systems and processes are well defined, there are still considerable challenges to address in terms of preparedness, co-ordinated response and recovery. There is much work to do.

Disaster and emergency management professionals play a critical role in lessening the impact of human, technological and environmental catastrophes. Professionals work with numerous partners to quickly and accurately assess situations and communities affected, advising on all aspects of response and recovery, as well as future prevention or management strategies.

Coventry University was the first UK university to establish courses in disaster management and emergency planning over 20 years ago (Hulse & Moseley 1998). Since introducing these first courses, Coventry University has continued to develop and adapt courses as the sector, and the wider world within which we work, has evolved.

This Course is mapped against the UK National Resilience Standards, National Occupational Standards in Civil Contingencies and Charter for Humanitarian Standards.