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Kevin Blanchard (he/him) @drrdynamics.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Chosen family vs. biological family in disaster & emergency situations. The nature of "family" changes all the time through societal, cultural & economic shifts. But #DRR & #EmergencyManagement continue to stick to rigid definitions. Time for a rethink? My thoughts: lnkd.in/p/et-d4zwV

A photograph of an emergency shelter, with rows of camp beds made up with folded blue blankets and foil sheets, and a registration desk with printed notices behind. Overlaid on top is a large white form headed "NEXT OF KIN", with blank lines for Name, Relationship, Contact No and Address. The Relationship line has been heavily scribbled out in pen, and a handwritten annotation next to it reads "Unclear - needs clarification". The image has a thick red border.

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Kevin Blanchard (he/him) @drrdynamics.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

My thoughts are with everyone caught up in the Nepal–Tibet floods. Search and rescue is still going on. People are still missing. Please think about the images you share. Families shouldn't learn what happened from a photo in a feed. Survivors are owed privacy. bit.ly/4zZuaJ9 #InclusiveDRR

Graphic with a dark charcoal background and a thick red rounded border. Underlined white heading reads 'Nepal & Tibet flooding'. Below, in white text: 'The search and rescue is still under way. Please think before you post that image.'

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Kevin Blanchard (he/him) @drrdynamics.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

The hazard is natural. The disaster that follows is a decision. Decisions including who is & isn't helped. Free webinar on #NoNaturalDisasters and #InclusiveDRR, & why they are the same argument. For anyone starting a relevant degree next month. 16 Sept, 1pm BST, online. forms.gle/kfsouSyCa9AS...

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Kevin Blanchard (he/him) @drrdynamics.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

(1/3) Attention DRR & AI professionals: I'm looking for real-world examples of AI in disaster risk reduction leaving marginalised groups behind. In the data it learns from, the design choices behind it, or who it actually reaches. A call for collaboration - short 🧵 #InclusiveDRR

Graphic reading 'ATTENTION DRR & AI PROFESSIONALS' in blue capitals on a yellow rounded banner, then 'CASE STUDIES NEEDED' underlined below, and 'PLEASE SHARE THIS POST' at the bottom flanked by two siren emojis, all on a grey background.

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Kevin Blanchard (he/him) @drrdynamics.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

Some (perhaps) temporary good news in a sea of shite news.

Screenshot of a news headline with a red “Business live” label. The headline reads: “Musk loses trillionaire status as SpaceX shares ‘come down to earth with a bump’.”

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Kevin Blanchard (he/him) @drrdynamics.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

⏳ Last few places on the 2nd intake of my six-week online course - Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction: Linking Policy & Practice. Starts 7 July, ends 11 August. With London in a #heatwave, the timing says it all: hazards become #disasters when they meet inequality. www.drrdynamics.com/learning

Promotional graphic on a warm orange-to-red gradient background with red and white heat-haze lines in the top right corner. Bold text reads: "Second intake now open. Last few places remaining." Below, in white: "Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction: Linking Policy and Practice. A six-week online course, starts 7 July 2026."

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Kevin Blanchard (he/him) @drrdynamics.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

Keir Starmer, you will not be missed. Despite your profession (human rights lawyer) you're time as PM has overseen a huge rollback of human rights when it comes to protest, freedom of speech and the rights of marginalised groups. I will never forgive you for that. Good riddance.

Headline graphic reading "Keir Starmer announces his resignation as prime minister and leader of Labour Party", with a "LIVE" label in the top left, set in white text on a dark red background.

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Kevin Blanchard (he/him) @drrdynamics.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

Can we take a moment to cheer for science!

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Kevin Blanchard (he/him) @drrdynamics.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

To celebrate #Pride month 2026, I've put together a list of all the publications on the DRR Dynamics website considered with gender and sexual minorities in times of disaster or crisis. Please see the full list here: bit.ly/4dXIxTS #InclusiveDRR

Graphic with the word “pride” in large white letters over a colourful pride flag background. Below it, the words “in DRR” appear over a black-and-white image of a damaged, barren landscape with tree stumps and bare trees under a cloudy sky. The design links LGBTQIA+ pride with disaster risk reduction.

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Kevin Blanchard (he/him) @drrdynamics.bsky.social · 02/06/2026

I love you Michelle Obama but I can 100% confirm that some white men do indeed suffer from imposter syndrome. You just haven't met them yet (maybe they're not at those elite levels you speak of)

Screenshot of a news article on a mobile device. The headline reads: “Michelle Obama: white men do not have to worry about impostor syndrome.” A subheading states that the former US first lady said she has sat “at every powerful table” and has not met a single white man with such doubts. The article is by Lanre Bakare, Arts and Culture Correspondent, and is dated 2 June 2026. Above the headline is a cropped photograph of a stage discussion with speakers seated in armchairs before an audience. A share button appears below the byline.

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Kevin Blanchard (he/him) @drrdynamics.bsky.social · 27/05/2026

Tony Blair farts into an essay and for some reason it's reported on as news!?

Screenshot of a newspaper article. The headline reads: “Tony Blair tells Starmer and rivals: abandon net zero and move closer to Trump”. A subheading states that the former prime minister says Labour’s “almost infinite capacity for self-delusion” makes it likely to lose the next election. Beneath the article is a link to an analysis piece titled: “Tony Blair’s essay on Labour failings gets full marks for being unhelpful”. The top of the image shows a blurred photograph of people seated at an event.

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Kevin Blanchard (he/him) @drrdynamics.bsky.social · 25/05/2026

How do these two things make sense? Vice Chancellors talking about cutting support for the poorest students, vs. Vice Chancellors renumeration packages. #AcademicSky

Extract from an article stating that nearly a third of vice-chancellors said they would cut hardship funding for current students if necessary, while more than half said they were prepared to cut access and outreach activity aimed at encouraging students to go to university over the next three years.

Table ranking Russell Group providers by vice-chancellor remuneration and salary for 2024 to 2025. The visible rows show the University of Oxford ranked first, with remuneration of £666,000 and salary of £427,000, followed by University College London, LSE, University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, University of Birmingham, King’s College London and the University of Manchester.

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Kevin Blanchard (he/him) @drrdynamics.bsky.social · 18/05/2026

🚨 New report for IDAHOBIT 2026 🚨 "When A.I. Meets DRR: What it means for gender and sexual minority communities." The report explores how AI could deepen exclusion for LGBTQIA+ communities if built on incomplete data and narrow assumptions. Read here: bit.ly/DRR_AI_LGBT #InclusiveDRR #IDAHOBIT

Promotional graphic with a pale blue background. On the right, dark blue text reads: “When A.I. Meets DRR: What it means for gender and sexual minority communities.” On the left and lower centre, vertical rainbow-coloured lines feed into a stylised grey human head combined with an artificial intelligence network, suggesting the interaction between LGBTQIA+ inclusion, AI systems and disaster risk reduction.

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Kevin Blanchard (he/him) @drrdynamics.bsky.social · 01/05/2026

The Guardian seems to be asking why fewer women stand for election in one article, while answering it an hour later in another.

Screenshot of a Guardian news listing. The headline reads: “Nearly twice as many men as women standing in May elections in UK.” The story is labelled “Exclusive” and was published three hours ago. The thumbnail image shows a person wearing a red coat and carrying a black rucksack walking outdoors.

Screenshot of a Guardian news listing. The headline reads: “UN warns women in public life face increasingly sophisticated online violence.” The story is labelled “Online abuse” and was published one hour ago. The thumbnail image shows hands using a laptop keyboard.

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Kevin Blanchard (he/him) @drrdynamics.bsky.social · 27/04/2026

Artificial intelligence in #DRR is reinforcing inequality. Those most at risk are often missing from the data and then, very often unable to access the tools AI provides. This “double exclusion” is structural, not accidental. My new report explains more: bit.ly/Double_Exclu... #InclusiveDRR

A two-stage diagram showing how “double exclusion” occurs in AI used for disaster risk reduction.
Stage 1, titled “data collection and training”, shows a dataset with many people counted from existing data and a smaller group labelled “not visible in existing data”. A note explains that some groups are not counted or recorded, so the AI cannot see them. This leads to an AI system trained on incomplete data.
Stage 2, titled “deployment and access”, shows AI outputs such as early warnings, aid targeting, and resource allocation. Three barriers are highlighted: no device or internet (cannot receive digital alerts or aid), no identity documents (cannot register for services), and language or literacy barriers (cannot understand warnings). A note explains that some groups cannot access or use the system even when it works.
At the bottom, a box labelled “double exclusion” explains that people most at risk are both missing from the data and unable to access AI-supported outputs. It notes this is a structural outcome, not an accident of design.

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Kevin Blanchard (he/him) @drrdynamics.bsky.social · 26/04/2026

Just a reminder - @rthonwesstreeting.bsky.social receives most of his donations from people and orgs linked to the private healthcare industry in the UK. Research via @goodlawproject.org goodlawproject.org/how-private-... I worry about the impartiality of this decision:

Screenshot of a news headline reading “Dozens of MPs oppose Streeting’s new power to say what NHS pays for drugs.” A subheading below states that the health secretary’s “power grab” to override NICE comes amid concerns it may be illegal and could benefit large pharmaceutical companies.

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Kevin Blanchard (he/him) @drrdynamics.bsky.social · 26/04/2026

🚨 New report 🚨 The people most at risk in #disasters are often invisible to AI systems and can't access them even when they work. Double exclusion is a structural problem, not a design flaw. Free to read: bit.ly/Double_Exclu... #InclusiveDRR

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Kevin Blanchard (he/him) @drrdynamics.bsky.social · 14/04/2026

International development (& #DRR) will not simply “go back to normal” after 2028. This is not just about US politics. It reflects a deeper shift in how development is funded, justified, & prioritised with real implications for inclusion & DRR. My full thoughts here: bit.ly/4sw4GOc #InclusiveDRR

A hand holding scissors cuts coloured strings stretched across a world map, symbolising global connections being severed. On the right, text reads: “If a major donor can scale back or reframe its engagement with limited reputational consequence, it lowers the threshold for others to do the same.”

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Kevin Blanchard (he/him) @drrdynamics.bsky.social · 31/03/2026

The second hand embarrassment is strong with this one. The arse-kissary is just 😬😳

A screenshot of a news headline labelled “US” reads: “Ron DeSantis signs bill renaming Palm Beach airport after Donald Trump.” A timestamp below says “7h ago.”

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Kevin Blanchard (he/him) @drrdynamics.bsky.social · 10/03/2026

🚨 Save the date: 07 Oct 2026 🚨 Looking beyond the marginalised groups recognised in most frameworks, this one day conference will focus on communities who are hyper-marginalised & often pushed to the edges of #DRR due to social stigma and/or exclusion. Speakers and details soon. #InclusiveDRR

Conference announcement graphic with the title “Invisible in Risk: DRR & hyper-marginalised communities” under the heading “#DRRLive Presents”. The image shows faint silhouettes of diverse people standing together, including a person using a wheelchair on the left. The text states “Online / In Person” and “Save the date – 07 October 2026”. The background is light with a subtle grid pattern.

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Kevin Blanchard (he/him) @drrdynamics.bsky.social · 05/03/2026

Global military spending reached $2.7tn in 2024. Redirecting just 1% to #DRR would release $27 billion a year to reduce disaster risk. That could expand early warning systems, strengthen resilient infrastructure, & embed inclusive systems around the world. #Disarmament.

Graphic with a red, gold, and blue background featuring the United Nations emblem in the top left corner. White text reads: “The world spent $2.7 trillion on its militaries in 2024.” To the right are two simple white outline figures wearing military helmets and body armour. At the bottom the source is cited as the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. A small arrow in the bottom right suggests there may be a following slide.

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Kevin Blanchard (he/him) @drrdynamics.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

Conflicts are rising worldwide. #Conflict & disaster risk are closely linked. Violence disrupts services, weakens governance and deepens inequality, increasing exposure to hazards, especially for marginalised communities. If we ignore these links, risk grows. #InclusiveDRR must address both.

A circular diagram illustrating the interconnections between conflict, disasters and marginalised groups. At the top left, a blue circle labelled “Conflict” lists displacement, inequality and violence. At the top right, a purple circle labelled “Disasters” lists environmental shocks, pandemics and hazards. At the bottom centre, a green circle labelled “Marginalised Groups” lists vulnerability, poverty and discrimination. Arrows flow between conflict and disasters in both directions, with the phrase “Increased Vulnerability” above them. Additional arrows link both conflict and disasters to marginalised groups. The left side notes “Increased Vulnerability” and the right side notes “Limited Access to Resources,” showing a reinforcing cycle between all three.

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Kevin Blanchard (he/him) @drrdynamics.bsky.social · 25/02/2026

A meme summarising one of my key concerns about #AI. Memes it seems are effective communication tools after all :) #InclusiveDRR

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Kevin Blanchard (he/him) @drrdynamics.bsky.social · 24/02/2026

We are integrating AI into #DRR at pace. But I fear we're not clear on who these systems are built to see, & who they'll miss. I’ve written a briefing "AI in Inclusive DRR: The basics", to explain how #AI actually works in practice & why inclusion must shape it from the start. bit.ly/AI_DRR_Basics

Cover page with the title “A.I. in Inclusive DRR” in large bold text, followed by “The basics.” underneath. The background is a soft gradient blending pale blue and light purple tones. In the centre is an abstract graphic made of thin, curved blue lines forming a flowing, wave-like shape. At the bottom of the page, the text reads “Kevin Blanchard” and “February 2026”.

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Kevin Blanchard (he/him) @drrdynamics.bsky.social · 18/02/2026

After 15+ years in #DRR, I’m still seeing the same conversations about inclusion and the same reluctance to change the systems behind exclusion. I’ve shared some reflections on where inclusive DRR may be stalling and why. bit.ly/4kGlsIh #InclusiveDRR

A screenshot of a LinkedIn article page. The header image reads “The future of inclusive DRR: key trends” in teal text over a dark background featuring a modern building facade and graphic design elements. Below, the article title reads “The future challenges of inclusive DRR: My reflections from practice.” The author is Kevin Blanchard MSc FRGS, described as a senior policy adviser on disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation, inclusion, risk governance, and decision making. The publication date shown is February 18, 2026.

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Kevin Blanchard (he/him) @drrdynamics.bsky.social · 10/02/2026

It is bad enough that peer review is not treated as work worthy of payment. Now @emeraldpublishing.bsky.social has emailed to say that even the small token they offered is being withdrawn. 😒 Needless to say, peer reviewing has somehow become even stingier. #AcademicSky #EduSky

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Kevin Blanchard (he/him) @drrdynamics.bsky.social · 28/01/2026

7 years ago today we saw a masterclass in how not to demonstrate gender equality. #Gender #InclusiveDRR

Screenshot of a news article headline reading “UAE’s gender equality awards won entirely by men”, with a yellow banner above stating “This article is more than 7 years old”. A subheading explains that Emirati authorities were ridiculed on social media after the Gender Balance Index awards were announced. Below the headline is a grid of four official photographs. In each image, two adult men wearing traditional white Emirati dress stand indoors in a formal setting, holding or exchanging award plaques. No women are visible in any of the photographs. The setting appears ceremonial, with national symbols and framed artwork visible in the background.

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Kevin Blanchard (he/him) @drrdynamics.bsky.social · 22/01/2026

There were some really interesting points in @mark-carney.bsky.social speech at #Davos2026 that felt relevant to #InclusiveDRR and international development more broadly. So I wrote a short piece on it, that can be found here - bit.ly/45n2oIG Maybe a smaller multilateralism is the way forward?

Screenshot of a LinkedIn post by Kevin Blanchard. The post begins with the text: “Disaster risk reduction (DRR) depends on cooperation across borders, yet the global systems that support that cooperation are under …” followed by a “see more” truncation. Below the post text is a list of linked news articles. The first is from The Guardian, with a headline about Jim Chalmers discussing the Canadian prime minister’s denunciation of Donald Trump, and includes a small portrait image of a suited man. The second link is from New Statesman, titled “Mark Carney’s lessons for Keir Starmer,” with a thumbnail image showing two people in front of Canadian flags. The third link is from The Guardian, titled “‘Nostalgia is not a strategy’: Mark Carney is emerging as the unflinching realist ready to tackle Trump,” with a close-up image of Mark Carney against a blurred background. The post shows that it was shared 24 minutes ago.

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Kevin Blanchard (he/him) @drrdynamics.bsky.social · 09/01/2026

Dear 77.3million citizens of the USA who voted Republican at the 2024 election - is this what you voted for? #Trump

Screenshot of a news headline from a UK media outlet. The headline reads: “US ‘I don’t need international law’: Trump says power constrained only by ‘my own morality’”. Below the headline is a timestamp reading “12h ago”. The layout is plain, with black text on a white background and a small red “US” label at the top indicating the section.

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Kevin Blanchard (he/him) @drrdynamics.bsky.social · 03/01/2026

Saying the quiet part out loud, a Trump specialty

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Kevin Blanchard (he/him) @drrdynamics.bsky.social · 29/12/2025

Interested in designing and implementing inclusive disaster risk reduction policy? I’m running a six week online course linking policy to practice, with a strong focus on inclusion and equity. Starts January 2026. Details and sign up: drrdynamics.com/learning #InclusiveDRR #DRR

Red slide promoting an online course titled “Inclusive disaster risk reduction: linking policy and practice”. It is described as a #DRRLive Learning course. The slide lists six weekly modules: week one, understanding inclusive DRR; week two, engaging marginalised groups; week three, policy and framework alignment; week four, inclusive early warning and anticipation; week five, from policy to practice; and week six, building a culture of inclusion. At the bottom, the start date is shown as 6 January 2026, noting that the course runs for six weeks and is self paced.

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Kevin Blanchard (he/him) @drrdynamics.bsky.social · 21/12/2025

Interested in learning how to design and implement #InclusiveDRR policy & practice? I am running a six week online course that focuses on linking policy & practice, with a strong emphasis on inclusion & equity. Registration closes on 30 Dec '25. Details & sign up here: drrdynamics.com/learning

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Kevin Blanchard (he/him) @drrdynamics.bsky.social · 19/12/2025

Great to speak at the HKH DRR Hub meeting this morning and share details of my project on HKH regional trends and insights. Thanks to @icimod.bsky.social for convening. Valuable discussions on where policy meets practice within this diverse region of the world. #InclusiveDRR

Photograph of a conference meeting room with participants seated around a U shaped table, listening and taking notes. At the front of the room, a large screen displays a presentation slide titled “ICIMOD Overview of regional DRR trends and thematic insights: HKH region,” with a speaker joining remotely on screen. Two empty chairs and a small table are set on the stage area beneath the screen, indicating a formal hybrid meeting setting.

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Kevin Blanchard (he/him) @drrdynamics.bsky.social · 18/12/2025

Last chance to sign up. Registration closes 30 December. Please repost & share widely if you can. This is a 6 week, self-paced course on #InclusiveDRR, linking policy and practice. Aimed at #DRR, climate, humanitarian and policy professionals/students. Runs 6 Jan–16 Feb 2026. bit.ly/DRRD_Learning

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Kevin Blanchard (he/him) @drrdynamics.bsky.social · 15/12/2025

Last week I read an interesting piece by @zionlights.bsky.social on how Finland is countering 'fake news' through educating children. It got me thinking - are there lessons from the Finnish model that we can replicate in #DRR? My thoughts on that here - www.linkedin.com/pulse/misinf...

Black and white photograph showing a large crowd of people standing closely together in a public space. Individuals of different ages are visible, many looking down at mobile phones or talking to others. The image conveys density, distraction, and information overload, often associated with how people receive and process information during crises.

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Kevin Blanchard (he/him) @drrdynamics.bsky.social · 04/12/2025

I have been building a free, open library of research on #InclusiveDRR since 2014. All publications are available to download and use. I hope they support your work or studies. Take a look here: lnkd.in/eMVgrwKW #DRR

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Kevin Blanchard (he/him) @drrdynamics.bsky.social · 01/12/2025

Today is #WorldAIDSDay2025 & it's a reminder that #InclusiveDRR should be about more than forecasts & infrastructure. When disasters disrupt HIV treatment, risks increase fast. Protecting continuity of care, dignity and access saves lives. More in my rapid briefing note: bit.ly/HIV_DRR_2025

A large red HIV awareness ribbon is overlaid on a street filled with earthquake rubble, damaged buildings, and crushed cars, with mountains in the background. White text at the bottom reads “World AIDS Day 2025”.

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Kevin Blanchard (he/him) @drrdynamics.bsky.social · 19/11/2025

Good communication is at the heart of #disaster preparedness. If people cannot understand or trust a warning, it will not work. We need messages shaped for real communities, in the right languages and formats, and tested with those they are meant to reach. More here: bit.ly/Toolkit_emer...

A blue box with the title check list contains five items with empty tick boxes: messages available in local and minority languages, use of visual and audio formats, accessibility for people with low literacy or disabilities, engagement of trusted local messengers, and the ability to monitor and address misinformation. Below the box is a green tick symbol and a brief tip encouraging testing messages with community focus groups to ensure they are understood and trusted.

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Kevin Blanchard (he/him) @drrdynamics.bsky.social · 10/11/2025

Emerging risks continue to overlap, shaping how disasters are experienced. My final 2025 report shows how these pressures interact with inequality and highlight community-led resilience. Inclusion is and will always be essential. More here - bit.ly/4oAkjTQ #InclusiveDRR

A dark, cloudy sky forms the background. At the top, yellow text reads “New report coming soon” with red warning icons on either side. In the centre, white text reads “Intersecting Emergencies: Inclusive DRR in a Changing Risk Landscape”. Below, bold yellow text in three lines reads: “Centre all people. Understand their context. Act with purpose.”

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