The Disaster Competence Network Austria (DCNA) acts as a link between scientific research and practitioners in crisis and disaster management. Through knowledge and technology transfer, findings from basic research are implemented and directed to those interested in security and disaster research in Austria and beyond.
Our strategic aims
Improving the coherence of security and disaster research in Austria
That means…
- Increase the efficiency of security and disaster research by improving the networking of all stakeholders and by cooperatively creating and exploiting synergies
- Improving the national and international visibility of Austrian security and disaster research
- Sharpening and strengthening the understanding of the social relevance of security and disaster research within Austria
- Promotion and expansion of cooperation with other relevant research areas
Promotion of young scientists
That means…
- Promoting the education of young researchers, e.g., in our Young Scientists program
- Support for knowledge transfer between actors in security and disaster research
Advice to policy and decision makers
That means…
- Providing scientific advice for security and disaster research at national and international level
- Advisory body for the Federal Government for the management of disasters
- Providing expertise to national and international decision makers
Sensitization and training of society
That means…
- Support and participation in civil protection activities
The following fields of activity and tasks can be derived from this:
Networking and coordination of stakeholders from science, practice, administration, and policy
Initiation and implementation of research and innovation projects in the field of security and disaster management
Knowledge and technology transfer between research, end users, and society
Evidence-based advice to policymakers and decision-makers at national and international levels
Capacity building and training, particularly to support early-career researchers
Development of analyses, scenarios, and decision-support tools for risk assessment and crisis management
Strengthening public awareness and risk communication
Results
Mobile research lab
The DCNA’s mobile research laboratory, a unique infrastructure package funded by the Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research (BMBWF), puts science into action in the field of disaster relief.
Science Plan
The DCNA Science Plan specifically defines research questions in the field of disaster preparedness. It serves as a strategic guideline for developing scientific findings in the coming years that focus on current and future challenges in disaster management.
Competence map
Showcase your personal scientific expertise on the Austrian competence map to be found by scientists, stakeholders, media, and many others.
Research infrastructure database
The BMFWF research infrastructure database provides an information platform for research infrastructures in science, research, and industry. The database allows users to find or offer collaborative research infrastructures.
Annual report
Our annual reports provide a comprehensive overview of the activities of the entire DCNA network – the coordinating body with all its results, events, and projects, as well as the network members – over the past years.