Professor Ilan Kelman‘s book, ‘Disaster by Choice‘, is one that is found in many a geography classroom around the world. As a result, this event, coordinated by GlosGeog (Gloucestershire’s local Geographical Association [GA] branch), proved to be very popular, with over 40 schools from the UK and mainland Europe opting to access the speaker session in real time or via the recording at a later date. I heard Professor Ilan Kelman, who is currently based at University College London, speak at the Geographical Association (GA) Annual Conference and Exhibition that was held at Sheffield College City Campus in mid-April 2026, which was powerful, insightful and engaging. I knew teachers and students were in for a treat this afternoon!
After the formal welcome, introductions and usual housekeeping, I handed over to Ilan. He began by sharing a course that is being offered at University College London; BSc Global Humanitarian Studies (https://www.ucl.ac.uk/study/prospective-students/undergraduate/courses/global-humanitarian-studies-bsc). This appears to be a hugely relevant course for our times and one that would equip individuals with the knowledge and skills to navigate the complex humanitarian crises that our planet is continually facing, unfortunately.
Next, Ilan took us on a tour across multiple continents, providing detailed case studies en route. He really is so well-travelled! He zoomed in on near Sendai in Japan, Oslo in Norway, Stockholm in Sweden, Honolulu in Hawaii, near Quito in Ecuador, Wellington and Christchurch in New Zealand, Baku airport in Azerbaijan, Toronto, Ontario in Canada, London in the UK and Seoul in South Korea.
Teachers even had a taster of how to easily integrate GIS into their lessons!
Afterwards, Ilan referenced the website, https://disastersavoided.com/. There is a wealth of case studies to explore here and a fantastic map of disasters that have been avoided. Do check it out!
Ilan’s final messages were very clear. Disasters are not natural. Disasters happen slowly. There is no disaster by choice.
Approximately 15 minutes before the end, attendees had the opportunity to add any questions to the chat feed that they wished Ilan to respond to. There were several, suggesting that his talk had stimulated deeper thinking. Ilan answered these in turn, both comprehensively and confidently.
Some of their questions can be viewed below:
For the strategies mentioned, how are they cost-effective for LICs? Some great strategies, but which ones are more effective for LICs?
What inspired you to write a book?
How long did it take you to finish your book?
What if not every country has money for the resources?
What is the most interesting part of your job?
If most disasters are shaped by human choices, who should be held accountable when preventable disasters occur?
Do you know about the situation in Cuba? Is that a human-made disaster?
Have you ever visited Bangladesh?
How can this be illustrated on the Park’s model and the hazard management cycle?
How would you go about changing symbols so they are universally recognised?
And, how do we think about including people with sight issues into that?
What is the most effective means of including everyone in disaster management planning, especially as those most vulnerable do not often have the power or voice to advocate for themselves?
What is one misconception about natural disasters you wish more people understood?
Do LICs or HICs get more affected?
How much collaboration do you personally have with government/town planners, etc. at the institutional level?
What is the best way to manage hazards when people may believe that hazards are the result of God’s work, and, therefore, people may believe it is fate. Likewise, some religions believe that natural hazards are karma.
Do you truly believe that choices and actions alone can solve natural disasters?
A collection of their ‘concluding comments‘ can be read below:
Informative, balanced – give evaluative thoughts to such important global and national decisions.
Amazing opportunity to listen live to Ilan having quoted extracts from his book to Year 12s. We were so fortunate to be able to experience it live.
Excellent – teaching key issues through multiple real-life examples.
Informative, relevant and thought-provoking.
Inspiring, interesting and engaging!
Informative, academic, high-level, inspiring, thought-provoking.
A rumination on reframing natural disasters.
A very passionate and detailed presentation of the issues.
Informative and thought-provoking.
Interesting range of examples that made students think differently about hazards.
A great introduction into how disasters can be considered to be a choice.
Insightful and thought provoking on the politics and semiotics of hazards.
Very informative and clear. Made myself and my students think!
Enaging, thought-provoking, informative.
Thank you so much from us at The Cottesloe School for the amazing session today. Ahead of our Year 12 mocks next week, it was an excellent opportuntity for us to hear first-hand. I often quote them extracts from the book, but to be able to listen live has been such a treat.
Thanks Ilan and Emma for a great session from everyone at Bilborough College, Nottingham.
Thank you so much for your time. greatly appreciated.
Thank you very much for organising this. Our students and staff very much enjoyed it.
Thank you so much for this. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I speak about Ilan’s book often throughout the A Level hazards topic and also at KS3. A fantastic opportunity – I have very much appreciated being able to involve our students in these online lectures throughout the year.
It was great to have been one of the schools involved in this yesterday. Massive thanks to Emma Espley and GlosGeog for organising.
If you found this speaker session purposeful and informative, then why not try and zoom into more over the next academic year? Details will be distributed and posted on social media feeds in early September.
In the interim, have a productive and enjoyable remainder of Term 6 and a relaxing summer holiday once it arrives.