Presentation Information
[U01-03]Strengthening Research for Future Risks: Experiences from Thailand’s Hub of Talents and related Funding Programs★Invited Papers
*Natt Leelawat1,2,3, Nutteera Tungkasikij1, Nattapon Trumikaborworn2,6, Kumpol Saengtabtim1, Panon Latcharote2,4, Titaya Sararit2,7, Parichat Wetchayont2,5, Wisaruta Veerasai8, Mongkonkorn Srivichai9, Jing Tang1,2, Pannee Cheewinsiriwat1 (1.Chulalongkorn Univ., 2.Earthquake Research Center of Thailand, NRCT, 3.Keio Univ., 4.Mahidol Univ., 5.Navamindradhiraj Univ., 6.Asian Institute of Technology, 7.Chiang Mai Univ., 8.Dept. of Mineral Resources, 9.Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna)
Keywords:
Earthquake,Hub of Talents,National Research Grants,Thailand
In many regions, natural hazards are becoming more complex and harder to manage. This situation creates new expectations for the geoscience community, especially in countries that experience frequent disasters. Thailand is one example where research funding policies are changing to support more practical, interdisciplinary, and internationally connected work. In recent years, the National Research Council of Thailand has introduced several programs, including the Hub of Talents scheme. This program aims to develop strong research teams led by senior experts and to support young and mid career researchers in strategic fields.
This presentation will introduce the Hub of Talents program in Thailand and explain how such funding mechanisms are shaping future research directions. One important example is the Earthquake Research Center of Thailand (EARTH), which operates under the Hub of Talents framework. EARTH promotes collaboration across engineering, geoinformatics, environmental science, and social science. It also encourages cooperation with government agencies, local communities, and international partners. These features help researchers produce knowledge that is academically valuable and directly useful for disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation.
The talk will also highlight several remaining challenges. These include the need for more stable long term funding, better integration between scientific research and policy implementation, and stronger support for data driven tools such as early warning systems and risk communication platforms. At the same time, Thai funding priorities are becoming more aligned with global frameworks such as the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and the Sustainable Development Goals. This alignment creates new opportunities for international collaboration and shared learning.
By presenting these experiences, this session aims to contribute to a broader discussion on how countries can design funding policies that support future oriented geoscience research. The key message is that interdisciplinary work, community engagement, and international cooperation are essential for building scientific systems that can respond to complex and emerging risks.
This presentation will introduce the Hub of Talents program in Thailand and explain how such funding mechanisms are shaping future research directions. One important example is the Earthquake Research Center of Thailand (EARTH), which operates under the Hub of Talents framework. EARTH promotes collaboration across engineering, geoinformatics, environmental science, and social science. It also encourages cooperation with government agencies, local communities, and international partners. These features help researchers produce knowledge that is academically valuable and directly useful for disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation.
The talk will also highlight several remaining challenges. These include the need for more stable long term funding, better integration between scientific research and policy implementation, and stronger support for data driven tools such as early warning systems and risk communication platforms. At the same time, Thai funding priorities are becoming more aligned with global frameworks such as the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and the Sustainable Development Goals. This alignment creates new opportunities for international collaboration and shared learning.
By presenting these experiences, this session aims to contribute to a broader discussion on how countries can design funding policies that support future oriented geoscience research. The key message is that interdisciplinary work, community engagement, and international cooperation are essential for building scientific systems that can respond to complex and emerging risks.