Maciej Pawlik

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  • Doctoral Researcher of Risk & Disaster Reduction, UCL

Maciej Pawlik is a Disaster Scientist and Doctoral Researcher at UCL, specialising in nature-based disaster resilience. His PhD research explores how people learn about nature-based solutions in cities like Glasgow and Kyoto to promote meaningful behavioural change in response to environmental threats. With a creative, posthumanist approach, Maciej focuses on making disaster science knowledge practical for vulnerable communities to achieve true resilience.

Maciej has published three first-author papers in top journals, including International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction and Sustainability, and has secured £55,000 in grants. His international research spans the UK and Japan, blending environmental and social science techniques to better understand resilience in an increasingly dangerous world.

In addition to research, Maciej teaches PGT modules at UCL (Emergency Planning & Management; Co-Learning for Disaster & Climate Justice). He is also a Climate Ambassador for London, mentoring students and supporting schools in the development of climate action plans.

In 2026, Maciej was appointed to the Steering Committee of the UK Alliance for Disaster Research (UKADR), where he supports the advancement of disaster research. He has contributed to public science forums like the British Science Festival, CIWEM’s Environment Magazine, and the United Nations PreventionWeb blog.

He is passionate about creating positive change. Maciej believes every scientist has a duty to help vulnerable communities adapt. Outside of research, he enjoys learning Japanese, hiking, swimming, badminton, anime, and Sci-Fi/Dystopian literature.

Experience

  • –present
    Doctoral Researcher of Risk & Disaster Reduction, UCL
  • 2022–2024
    Research Assistant (SDGs & DRR), University of East London

Education

  • 2028 
    University College London, PhD Nature-based Disaster Resilience
  • 2022 
    Royal Holloway, University of London, MSc Global Futures
  • 2021 
    Royal Holloway, University of London, BSc Clinical Psychology & Mental Health

Publications

  • 2025
    Agent-based modelling for flood evacuation as inclusive disaster risk reduction: Pilot participatory action research with 11- and 12-year-old children from a Japanese school, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2212420925000044?ssrnid=4994271&dgcid=SSRN_redirect_SD
  • 2025
    Supporting Sustainable Development Through Early-Life DRR Learning Opportunities: UK School Insights , https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/13/5671
  • 2024
    Proposing Thematic Mapping for Integrated Risk Communication: A study of British & Japanese perspectives in flood-prone communities, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2212420924002346

Grants and Contracts

  • 2025
    Standard Travel Grant
    Role:
    PI - PhD Project
    Funding Source:
    Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation
  • 2025
    Student Fieldwork Grant
    Role:
    PI - PhD Project
    Funding Source:
    British Association for International & Comparative Education
  • 2023
    Impact Builder 2023
    Role:
    ECR & RA
    Funding Source:
    University of East London

Professional Memberships

  • Royal Geographical Society
  • British Ecological Society
  • Avoidable Deaths Network
  • British Association for International & Comparative Education

Honours

Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society

Contact Maciej for

  • General
  • Media request
  • Speaking request
  • Consulting / Advising
  • Research collaboration
  • Research supervision