_{© Carlos Nolasco}

Observatory of Risk

The Observatory of Risk (OSIRIS) of the Centre for Social Studies at the University of Coimbra is an entity that proactively seeks to identify the social and economic contexts in which the risk acceptability spheres are established, concerned with the efficiency analysis of public and private mitigation strategies, and attentive to the emergence and consolidation of new actors and groups.

As such, some of the material needed for this observatory’s research is available in albums grouped by theme, thus making it possible to share records relating to extreme events, including the wildfires that have plagued Portuguese territory in recent years, particularly those of 2017.

This link shows photographic and video records of these and other natural and technological disasters. The focus is on the affected communities in order to better communicate their experiences, their knowledges, to explain their dynamics of solidarity, and to give an account of their narratives
 

Trauma Observatory

Since its foundation, the Trauma Observatory (OT) has been analysing the potential impacts on mental health resulting from exposure to crisis, disaster, or catastrophe situations. Particularly since 2017, it has been following with concern the still visible psychological consequences, not only on the people who were victims of the wildfires, but also on the technicians and professionals who experienced the situation up close.

With this in mind, in order to provide as much help as possible to all the professionals on the ground dealing with life-disrupting events - firefighters, military personnel, health personnel, journalists - the OT has made available the information dossier “Natural Disasters and the Impact on Mental Health”, in which it shares a series of suggestions to facilitate the proper performance and protection of professionals who intervene directly on the ground, as well as a short manual of suggestions and conclusions on prevention and intervention in psychological trauma resulting from natural disaster situations.

In addition, for queries, counselling or emergencies, there is a Psychosocial Helpline at traumasos@ces.uc.pt or 926 562 085 (between 9h30 and 18h00).  

Doctoral Programme “Territory, Risk, and Public Policies”
Risk Sciences have gained increasing international recognition, prominently in institutions such as UNESCO and the Council of Europe. In this sense, the Doctoral Programme in Territory, Risk and Public Policy offers advanced training for those who wish to develop research skills and obtain qualifications in the field of Risk Sciences, contributing to a more resilient future.

Open to students from a wide range of backgrounds, such as Social, Natural, Exact and Technological Sciences, the programme offers an integrated approach to assessing the resilience of communities, considering uncertainties and relevant variables.

This doctoral programme is the result of a partnership between CES and the Institute for Interdisciplinary Research of the University of Coimbra, IGOT and CEG of the University of Lisbon, and the University of Aveiro, providing solid interdisciplinary training and interdisciplinary approaches to issues such as wildfires.