Co-hosted by the International Research Institute of Disaster Science (IRIDeS) at Tohoku University in Sendai, Japan, IDEAAL at Tohoku is a one week practical disaster research training course held in the area affected by the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami from October 19-23, 2026.
Offered annually in Seattle by the University of Washington’s Center for Disaster Resilient Communities (CDRC) the Investigations in Disasters and Emergencies: Advancing Applied Learning in Disaster Research Response (IDEAAL DR2) fellowship offers training in environmental and public health disaster research methods and skills for advanced graduate students and early career hazards and disaster researchers from institutions across the United States. The program aims to increase knowledge and awareness of environmental and public health disaster research methods and skills among interdisciplinary, early-career researchers interested in conducting public health-focused hazards and disaster research.
IDEAAL at Tohoku expands on the success of IDEAAL DR2 with an added focus on global research partnerships particularly those across the Asia-Pacific region. The weeklong training includes hands-on instruction in interdisciplinary public and environmental health disaster research methods, case studies from researchers at Tohoku University, field visits to disaster affected areas, and opportunities to foster connections amongst scholars and course faculty. All sessions of IDEAAL at Tohoku will be offered in English.
The learning objectives covered by the in-person training are as follows:
1. Foundations of disaster research
- Explain the role and importance of conducting research in the context of disasters and public health emergencies.
- Describe administrative and logistical roadblocks to the conduct of public environmental health research in the context of a disaster.
- Explain key ethical considerations when designing and implementing research in the context of a disaster.
- Design strategies to minimize health and safety risks while conducting research in the context of a disaster.
2. Reciprocity and research communications
- Demonstrate the ability to promote fair treatment and meaningful involvement of affected communities in efforts to address and investigate issues that exacerbate their disaster risk.
- Identify strategies for development of hazards and disaster research before, during and after a disaster with response partners and affected communities.
- Apply principles of risk and science communication to communicate with response partners and communities before, during and after a public health emergency.
3. Disaster research methods
- Explain applications of implementation science, exposure science, epidemiology, qualitative research methods and data science in disasters, as well as key considerations to using these approaches in a disaster context.
- Compare and contrast different scientific approaches to conducting environmental and public health research in the context of a disaster.
4. Tools and instrumentation for disaster research
- Identify and select appropriate methods and tools to collect perishable data in the context of a disaster.
- Describe approaches and support to safely, securely and rapidly curate, manage and share perishable data collected to answer environmental and public health disaster research questions.
5. International research collaboration development
- Identify best practices, ethical considerations and opportunities for international collaboration.
Early career researchers, including but not limited to assistant professors, research scientists, postdoctoral scholars, advanced graduate students and others in equivalent roles in non-university settings who are interested in performing environmental and public health disaster research are eligible and encouraged to apply.
Scholars from across the world are eligible. Special consideration will be given to researchers based in or partnering in the Asia-Pacific region.
Of note: all short course sessions will be held in English.
Registration fees are as follows:
- Student/postdoc/trainee: $585
- Faculty/academic staff/Non-profit organization/Government agencies: $695
- Corporate/for-profit organizations: $895
Participants are responsible for their travel and lodging. Light breakfast and lunch will be provided at the short course.
Scholarships available for those who demonstrate significant financial need. Please complete this additional form to be eligible.
- Application opens: May 7 (Japan)/May 6, 2026 (United States)
- Application closes: June 3, 2026, at 13:00 JST (Japan)/June 2, 2026, at 9 p.m. PDT (United States)
- Application review: June 2026
- Applications received by the priority application deadline will be notified no later than July 2, 2026 (Japan)/July 1, 2026 (United States)
To apply, please complete this application. The application includes two short answer questions that range from 200-300 words and a place to upload your current resume or CV.
A downloadable version of the application questions is available for download. We recommend that applicants draft their short answer questions in a separate document as the REDCap may not reliably spell check or track word count.
Please complete this application to apply for financial support to waive all or part of the registration fee.
Applicants will be selected based on the following criteria:
- Research Training: Demonstrated training or experience in research related to the health impacts of disasters or public health emergencies.
- Foundational Knowledge: Demonstrated public health foundational knowledge, including through prior coursework, training, research, or applied practice experience(s). *This includes mental health and other broad health implications.
- Impact of Training: identified impact of training to career or professional trajectory.
Program Faculty:
Nicole Errett, Department of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington [Link to Bio]
Elizabeth Maly, International Research Institute of Disaster Research (IRIDeS), Tohoku University [Link to Bio]
Marissa Baker, Department of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington [Link to Bio]
Jeffrey Berman, Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of Washington [Link to Bio]
Tania Busch Isaksen, Department of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington [Link to Bio]
John Choe, Industrial & Systems Engineering, University of Washington [Link to Bio]
Resham Patel, Department of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington [Link to Bio]
Nnenia Campbell, The William Averette Anderson Fund [Link to Bio]
Program Staff:
Juliette Randazza, Department of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington
Questions regarding the program, application process and/or eligibility can be directed to Juliette Randazza via email at jrandazz@uw.edu.