People

Professor David Sanderson

Inaugural Judith Neilson Chair in Architecture
Architectural Studies, Architecture

PhD (poverty, vulnerability and urban livelihoods), Postgraduate Certificate of Teaching in Higher Education, Master of Science Degree (MSc), Development Practice, Graduate Diploma (Architecture), Bachelor of Arts Degree with Honours (Architecture)

With over 25 years’ experience working in crises across the world, I engage with aid agencies and others about how we can improve humanitarian response and build resilience. 

Much of my work focuses in particular on poorer people living in fast-growing towns and cities, and how measures can be improved to reduce the impact of disasters, climate change and other crises. This often includes working to improve the quality of humanitarian aid, which has been slow to address the urban challenge. Part of this includes focusing on how designers can work with others to better understand and respond to communities at risk. 

Building urban resilience and having a positive global impact are central themes to UNSW Built Environment, and this is where my research fits into the bigger picture. Despite the challenging nature of the work, the inspiration to work in this area comes from people themselves. Human beings are extraordinary - we are hardwired to be survivors. 

Building: 
Red Centre West Wing
Phone: 
+61 42 487 1966
david.sanderson@unsw.edu.au
Bio: 

David has over 25 years experience working across the world in development and emergencies. From 1994-98 David was a Project Manager at the Oxford Centre for Disaster Studies. David worked for eight years for the NGO CARE International UK, as head of policy and subsequently Regional Manager for southern and west Africa. From 2006-2013 David was Director of CENDEP, a centre at Oxford Brookes University focusing on development and emergencies. Between 2013-14 he was a full time Visiting Professor at Harvard University, where he taught a course, 'Design for urban disaster', and from 2014-2015 was a Professor at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). David was appointed the Inaugural Judith Neilson Chair of Architecture at UNSW in February 2016. 

David has published articles and papers concerning urban livelihoods, shelter and disaster risk reduction. He has carried out a number of assignments for NGOs and donors across the world, and in recent years has led post-disaster reviews in Haiti, Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, the Philippines and Nepal. He was editor of the 2016 IFRC World Disasters Report. David was trained in architecture and holds a Masters degree in Development Practice and a PhD in urban livelihoods and vulnerability.

David has undertaken assignments for the Qatar Foundation, IFRC, Active Learning Network for Accountability and Performance (ALNAP), Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), European Commission, Humanitarian Coalition (HC), Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre (ADPC), DFID, USAID, World Bank (EDI Section), UNDP/UNDESA, UN-Habitat, British Council, Christian Aid, Habitat For Humanity, CARE Bangladesh, Tear Fund, Save the Children, Oxfam GB, Islamic Relief, Register of Engineers for Disaster Response (REDR) Canada, World Vision International, LSE Public Policy Group, Mott Foundation, Enhancing Learning and Research for Humanitarian Action (ELRHA) and the ACT Alliance.

Currently external positions:

  • Technical Expert, Harvard Humanitarian Initiative since 2017
  • Academic member, Steering Group, Global Alliance for Urban Crises (GAUC) since 2017
  • Member, UNISDR Asia Science, Technology and Academia Advisory Group (ASTAAG) since 2016
  • International Advisory Group member, Project for the study of the 21st century (PS21) since 2015
  • Board member, Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) since 2014
  • Steering Committee member, ELRHA since 2014
  • Chair, Funding Committee, Humanitarian Innovation Fund (HIF) since 2014; member since 2011
  • Member, Humanitarian Innovations Project Advisory Board, Oxford University since 2012
  • Visiting professor, Université Paris-Est Créteil, France since 2011
  • Co-Editor, PLoS: Disasters Journal since 2011.
Engagement: 

Membership

  • International Advisory Group member, Project for the Study of the 21stCentury (PS21), since 2015
  • Member, Board of Directors, Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) since 2014
  • Steering Group member, Enhancing Learning and Research for Humanitarian Assistance (ELRHA) since 2014
  • Member, Humanitarian Innovation Project Advisory Board, Oxford University since 2012
  • Chair, grants panel, Humanitarian Innovations Fund (HIF); member since 2011, chair since Sept 2014
  • Expert Group member, UN-Habitat i-House since 2011
  • Co-Editor, PLoS Currents: Disasters Journal since 2011
  • Visiting professor, Université Paris-Est Créteil, France since 2010
  • Editorial board member, Jamba Journal of disaster risk studies since 2010 and International Journal of Urban Sustainable Development since 2009
  • Programme Committee member, CARE International UK, 2006-2013
  • Annual courses lecturer at Harvard Humanitarian Initiative since 2013, Escuela de Organización Industrial (EOI), Madrid since 2011, Universita della Svizzera Italiana, Lugano since 2010 and Université Paris-Est Créteil since 2010.
Publications:
Books

Aysan Y; Clayton A; Cory A; Davis I; Sanderson D, 1995, Developing Building for Safety Programmes Guidelines for Organizing Safe Building Improvement Programmes in Disaster-prone Areas, IT Publications

Sanderson D; Cowden B; Davis I; Twigg J, 1995, Disaster mitigation, preparedness and response: an audit of UK assets, IT Publications, Rugby

Book Chapters

Sanderson D, 2018, 'Area-based approaches: Coping with urban complexity – but are agencies ready?', in Sanderson D; sharma A (ed.), The State of Humanitarian Shelter a iv nd Settlements, Global Shelter Cluster, Geneva, pp. 120-124, https://www.sheltercluster.org/sites/default/files/The%20State%20of%20Humanitarian%20Shelter%20and%20Settlements%202018.pdf

Sanderson D, 2018, 'Beyond ‘the better shed’', in Sanderson D; sharma A (ed.), The State of Humanitarian Shelter and Settlements 2018, edn. inaugural, pp. 2-9, https://www.sheltercluster.org/sites/default/files/The%20State%20of%20Humanitarian%20Shelter%20and%20Settlements%202018.pdf

Pettit C; Wentz E; Randolph B; Sanderson D; Kelly F; Reades J, 2018, 'Tackling the challenged of growing cities: an informed urbanization approach', in Hawken S; Han C; Pettit C (ed.), Open Cities and Open Data: Collaborative Cities in the Information Era, Palgrave MacMillan

Sanderson D, 2017, 'Cross-Sector Coordination and Collaboration for Humanitarian Assistance in a Disaster Recovery Setting', in Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Natural Hazard Science, edn. Natural Hazard Science, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 10.1093/acrefore/9780199389407.013.178

Sanderson D; sharma A, 2016, 'Making the case for resilience', in sanderson D; sharma A (ed.), World Disasters Report, IFRC, Geneva, pp. 10-37, http://www.ifrc.org/Global/Documents/Secretariat/201610/WDR%202016-FINAL_web.pdf

Sanderson D; Sharma A, 2016, 'Making the case for resilience', in Sanderson D; Sharma A (ed.), World Disasters Report 2016 Resilience: saving lives today, investing for tomorrow, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, pp. 10-37, http://media.ifrc.org/ifrc/publications/world-disasters-report-2016/

Sanderson D; Kayden JS; Leis J, 2016, 'Urban Disaster Resilience: New Dimensions from International Practice in the Built Environment', in Urban Disaster Resilience: New Dimensions from International Practice in the Built Environment, pp. 1-216, 10.4324/9781315725420

Lyons M; Schilderman T; Sanderson D, 2013, 'Harnessing time: Reflections on constraints to development', in Sanderson D; Burnell J (ed.), Beyond shelter after disaster: practice, process and possibilities, Routledge, New York, pp. 25-29

Sanderson D, 2011, 'Livelihood protection and support for disaster', in Wisner BV; Gaillard J; Kelman I (ed.), Handbook of Hazards, Disaster Risk Reduction and Management, edn. First, Routledge, pp. 655-668, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/267337334_Livelihood_protection_and_support_for_disaster

Sanderson D, 2002, 'Planning in Cities', in Zetter R; White R (ed.), Urban livelihoods, shocks and stresses, ITDG Publishing, pp. 116-130, 10.3362/9781780441283

Sanderson D; Hedley D, 2002, 'Strengthening urban livelihoods in Zambia – PUSH II and PROSPECT', in Rakodi C; Lloyd-Jones T (ed.), Urban Livelihoods: A People-centred Approach to Reducing Poverty, Earthscan Publications Ltd, London, pp. 247-256, https://books.google.com.au/books?hl=en&lr=&id=iw3cwHUVAQsC&oi=fnd&pg=PA247&dq=Strengthening+urban+livelihoods+in+Zambia+%E2%80%93+PUSH+II+and+PROSPECT&ots=u5naY7jzCi&sig=gEuI1ew_jfn0r_9eZV2kPSnfwtI#v

Sanderson D, 2000, 'Urban poverty – the challenge of the next millennium', in Who's Who in Charities

Sanderson D, 1999, 'Partnerships in disaster management', in Ingleton J (ed.), Natural Disaster Management, Tudor Rose Holdings Ltd, England, pp. 269-271

Sanderson D, 1997, 'Reducing vulnerability to increase capacity; the Caqueta ravine, Lima', in Awatona A (ed.), Reconstruction after disaster issues and practices, Ashgate Publishing Limited, pp. 148-165

Journal articles

Shi P; Shaw R; Ardalan A; Chan EYY; Choudhury JR; Cui P; Fu B; Han G; Han Q; Izumi T, 2018, 'Fourteen Actions and Six Proposals for Science and Technology-Based Disaster Risk Reduction in Asia: Second Asian Science and Technology Conference for Disaster Risk Reduction: Science-Policy Dialogue', International Journal of Disaster Risk Science, vol. 9, pp. 275-279, 10.1007/s13753-018-0174-9

Sanderson D, 2018, 'Implementing area-based approaches in urban post-disaster contexts', Science & Technology into Action. Disaster Risk Reduction Perspectives from Asia, pp. 48-50

Sanderson D, 2018, 'Shifting from supply to demand: opportunities for improving humanitarian response in urban disaster settings', Development Bulletin, vol. 79, pp. 63-67, https://crawford.anu.edu.au/rmap/devnet/devnet/db-79.pdf

Sanderson D; sitko P, 2018, 'Ten principles for area-based approaches in urban post-disaster recovery', Humanitarian Exchange, pp. 20-23, https://odihpn.org/magazine/ten-principles-area-based-approaches-urban-post-disaster-recovery/

Sanderson D; Patel R; King J; Phelps L, 2017, 'Discussion Informed by Recurrent Lessons from a Systematic Review on Targeting Practices in Urban Humanitarian Crises', PloS Currents: Disasters, 10.1371/currents.dis.0d0be4b294b40f5e51ee7b58d9687ea0

Sanderson D, 2017, 'Implementing area-based approaches (ABAs) in urban post-disaster contexts', Environment and Urbanization, vol. 29, pp. 349-364, 10.1177/0956247817717422

Sanderson D; Jones P, 2017, 'Urban resilience: Informal and squatter settlements in the Pacific Region', Development Bulletin, pp. 11-15

Sanderson D; Sharma A; Kennedy J; Burnell J, 2014, 'Lost In Transition: Principles, Practice And Lessons From Haiti for Urban Post-Disaster Shelter Recovery Programs', Asian Journal of Environment and Disaster Management (AJEDM), vol. 6, pp. 131-151, 10.3850/S1793924014003629

Sanderson D, 2012, 'Building livelihoods to reduce risk among the most marginalized in urban areas: Strategic approaches from Dhaka', Environmental Hazards, vol. 11, pp. 112-122, 10.1080/17477891.2011.609881

Sanderson D; Sharma A; Anderson J, 2012, 'NGO permanent housing 10 years after the Gujarat earthquake: revisiting the FICCI–CARE Gujarat rehabilitation programme', Environment and Urbanization, vol. 24, pp. 1-15, 10.1177/0956247811431218

Sanderson D, 2012, 'Understandings in Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience, in Natural Disasters', Encyclopedia of Life Support System (EOLSS), http://www.eolss.net/

Sanderson D, 2011, 'Good design in urban shelter after disaster: lessons from development', Boundaries International Architectural Magazine, pp. 64-69, http://www.alnap.org/resource/7168

Lyons M; Schilderman T; Sanderson D, 2011, 'Harnessing time: Reflections on constraints to development', Environmental Hazards, vol. 10, pp. 213-217, 10.1080/17477891.2011.597498

Burnell J; Sanderson D, 2011, 'Whose reality counts?: Shelter after disaster', Environmental Hazards, vol. 10, pp. 189-192, 10.1080/17477891.2011.595581

McGuire WJ; Solana MC; Kilburn CRJ; Sanderson D, 2009, 'Improving communication during volcanic crises on small, vulnerable islands', Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, vol. 183, pp. 63-75, 10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2009.02.019

Sanderson D; Sharma A, 2008, 'Winners and losers from the 2001 Gujarat earthquake', Environment and Urbanization, vol. 20, pp. 177-186, 10.1177/0956247808089155

Sanderson D, 2000, 'Cities, Disasters and Livelihoods', Environment and Urbanization, vol. 12, pp. 93-102, 10.1630/095624700101285497

Sanderson D, 1999, 'Implementing action planning to reduce urban risk', Open House International, vol. 24, pp. 33-39

Sanderson D, 1997, 'Reducing risk as a tool for urban improvement: the Caqueta ravine, Lima, Peru', Environment and Urbanization, vol. 9, pp. 251-261, 10.1177/095624789700900102

Reports

sanderson DAVID, 2018, Science & Technology into Action Disaster Risk Reduction Perspectives from Asia, Asia Science Technology Academia Advisory Group (ASTAAG), Japan

Sanderson D; Sitko P, 2017, Urban area-based approaches in post-disaster contexts Guidance Note for Humanitarian Practitioners, IIED, London, Stronger Cities Consortium, http://pubs.iied.org/10825IIED/

Patel R; King J; Phelps L; Sanderson D, 2017, What Practices Are Used to Identify and Prioritize Vulnerable Populations Affected by Urban Humanitarian Emergencies? Systematic review., Oxfam GB, Oxford, UK, http://policy-practice.oxfam.org.uk/publications/what-practices-are-used-to-identify-and-prioritize-vulnerable-populations-affec-620190

Sanderson D; Patel R; Phelps L, 2016, What are the practices to identify and prioritize vulnerable populations affected by urban humanitarian emergencies? A systematic review protocol of methods and specific tools used to target the most, Oxfam GB, UK, http://policy-practice.oxfam.org.uk/publications/what-are-the-practices-to-identify-and-prioritize-vulnerable-populations-affect-605166

Sanderson D; Sharma A, 2016, World Disasters Report 2016 Resilience: saving lives today, investing for tomorrow, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, International federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, World Disaster Report, http://www.ifrc.org/en/publications-and-reports/world-disasters-report/world-disasters-report/

Sanderson D; Rodericks A; Shresta N; Ramalingam B, 2015, Nepal Earthquake Appeal Response Review, ALNAP, ALNAP, http://www.alnap.org/resource/21348

Sanderson D; Ramalingam B, 2015, Nepal earthquake response: lessons for operational agencies, ALNAP, UK, http://www.alnap.org/resource/20140

Sanderson D; Willison Z, 2014, Philippines Typhoon Haiyan response review, ALNAP, ALNAP, http://www.alnap.org/resource/12316

Morgan N; Naz S; Sanderson D, 2013, Pakistan floods response 2010-12, Christian Aid, London, http://www.christianaid.org.uk/emergencies/past/pakistan-floods-2010/independent-evaluation.aspx

Russ C; Walker P; Sanderson D, 2012, Humanitarian Training and Education Snapshot Report, Qatar Shelter Initiative

Sanderson D; Knox-Clarke P; Campbell L, 2012, Responding to urban disasters: Learning from previous relief and recovery operations, London, http://www.alnap.org/resource/7772#

Sanderson D; Clermont C; Spraos H; Sharma A, 2011, Urban disasters - lessons from Haiti. Study of member agencies’ responses to the earthquake in Port au Prince, Haiti, January 2010, Disasters Emergency Committee, London, http://www.dec.org.uk/sites/default/files/pdf/dec-haiti-urban-study.pdf

Rodericks A; Sanderson D, 2002, A livelihoods context for disaster management, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Geneva, Chapter one, box 1.4, http://www.ifrc.org/Global/Publications/disasters/WDR/32600-WDR2002.pdf

Sanderson D, 2001, Ask the authorities for better services? How can we ask for anything when even the dogs bark at us?, Care International UK, London

Sanderson D; Westley K, 2001, Participatory livelihoods assessment, Kosovo, CARE International, CARE International, http://www.alnap.org/resource/7182

Davis I; Sanderson D; Parker D; Stack J, 1998, The dissemination of warnings, IDNDR flagship programme – forecasts and warnings, Thomas Telford, London

Conference Presentations

Sanderson DAVID, 2018, 'Urban humanitarian response, ODI special edition launch of Humanitarian Exchange', in Urban humanitarian response, ODI special edition launch of Humanitarian Exchange, ODI launch, London, presented at ODI launch, London, 27 - 27 March 2018, https://www.odi.org/events/4542-urban-humanitarian-response-challenges-and-opportunities

Sanderson D, 2016, 'Keynote presentation, How soon is now?', in Keynote presentation, How soon is now?, Australian Institute of Architects (AIA) annual national conference, Adelaide, presented at Australian Institute of Architects (AIA) annual national conference, Adelaide, 28 - 30 April 2016, http://hownowissoon.com/home/2016/4/29/keynote-david-sanderson-university-of-new-south-wales

Sanderson D, 2016, 'Resilient neighbourhoods?', in Resilient neighbourhoods?, Utzon lecture and inaugural Judith Neilson Chair lecture, UNSW, Sydney, presented at Utzon lecture and inaugural Judith Neilson Chair lecture, UNSW, Sydney, 04 - 04 May 2016, https://www.be.unsw.edu.au/events/utzonlecture/resilientneighbourhoods

Creative Written Works

Sanderson D, 2016, Disaster Survivors are not Just Helpless Victims, Sydney Morning Herald

Sanderson D, 2016, Disaster Survivors aren't Helpless Victims: Relief can be the enemy of recovery, Brisbane Times, http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/comment/head-20160303-gn9eem.html

Sanderson D, 2016, Why the world needs more resilience-thinking to stem escalating crises, Why the world needs more resilience-thinking to stem escalating crises, The Conversation, https://theconversation.com/why-the-world-needs-more-resilience-thinking-to-stem-escalating-crises-65880

Sanderson D, 2016, Why you shouldn't give a goat this Christmas, Sydney Morning Herald, Fairfax Media, http://www.smh.com.au/comment/why-you-shouldnt-give-a-goat-this-christmas-20161212-gt92rm.html

Sanderson D, 2010, Architects are often the last people needed in disaster reconstruction, Architects are often the last people needed in disaster reconstruction, The Guardian, http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2010/mar/03/architects-disaster-reconstruction-haiti-chile

Sanderson D, 2007, When good intentions go bad, When good intentions go bad, The Times

Recorded / Rendered Creative Works

Sanderson D, 2016, ABC radio interview, http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/latenightlive/tackling-urban-migration-and-disasters/7380786, Editor(s): ABC, Published: 03 May 2016, Recorded / Rendered Creative Works

sanderson D, 2016, Live radio interview, http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-10-13/red-cross-calls-for-more-pre-disaster-investment/7928620, Radio, Published: 13 October 2016, Recorded / Rendered Creative Works, http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-10-13/red-cross-calls-for-more-pre-disaster-investment/7928620

Sanderson D, 2016, Why you shouldn’t give a goat this Christmas, Comment, Sydney Morning Herald, Sydney, Published: 14 December 2016, Recorded / Rendered Creative Works, http://www.smh.com.au/comment/why-you-shouldnt-give-a-goat-this-christmas-20161212-gt92rm.html

Creative Works (non-textual)

Sanderson D, 2016, Aid fails when aid fails to listen, Unsomnia, UNSW, 01 - 02 December 2016, at http://www.unsomnia.unsw.edu.au/speaker/david-sanderson

Edited Books

2018, The State of Humanitarian Shelter and Settlements 2018, Global Shelter Cluster, Geneva, https://www.sheltercluster.org/sites/default/files/The%20State%20of%20Humanitarian%20Shelter%20and%20Settlements%202018.pdf

Sanderson D, 2016, Urban disaster resilience: New dimensions from international practice in the built environment, 10.4324/9781315725420

Sanderson D; Burnell J, 2013, Beyond Shelter After Disaster: Practice, Process and Possibilities, Routledge