1st RIAGE — (Re)Insurance-Academia Global Earthquake Workshop

Earthquakes are among the most devastating natural hazards, causing significant loss of life and economic and insured damage worldwide. Understanding the processes that lead to earthquakes and their secondary effects, assessing damage and losses, and implementing effective response and risk management strategies are crucial for minimising their impacts.

This workshop aims to bring together scientists, engineers, policymakers, and insurance industry stakeholders to discuss recent advancements in earthquake research and technology, with a particular focus on research applications relevant to the insurance industry.

We encourage collaboration and dialogue between industry professionals and academic researchers, fostering the exchange of ideas that extend beyond current catastrophe (CAT) modelling practices.

This workshop will emphasise innovative approaches and methodologies that can enhance the insurance sector's understanding of earthquake risks, improve resilience strategies, and inform decision-making processes.

To attend virtually, click 'Reserve a spot' and select the 'online only' ticket.

The RIAGE Workshop will encompass a wide array of topics, emphasising collaboration between industry and academia, including but not limited to:

· Time Dependencies in Earthquake Risk Modelling

· Cascading/Compounding Impacts of Earthquake Risk

· Advances in Exposure and Vulnerability Modelling

· Testing, Evaluation and Outstanding Challenges in Industry CAT Models

· New Technologies in Catastrophe Risk Management

· Black Swan Events: Unveiling the Unexpected

This event will serve as a platform for sharing knowledge, experiences, and innovative ideas aimed at enhancing earthquake resilience worldwide, fostering meaningful dialogue and partnerships between researchers and insurance industry professionals.

We encourage in-person attendees to deliver an oral or poster presentation. To submit your abstract, please select the option on the Eventbrite order form. We will send you instructions on how to submit your abstract by the 1 March 2026 deadline.

You can find a list of potential accomodation options here.

View the detailed agenda and invited speakers below.

Alexander Alabaster, AON

Helen Crowley, Global Earthquake Model (GEM) Foundation

James Dalziel, WTW (Willis Towers Watson) (co-chair)

Carmine Galasso, UCL Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering (co-chair)

Fatemeh Jalayer, UCL Risk & Disaster Reduction (co-chair)

Salvatore Iacoletti, AXA-XL

Cameron Rye, Willis Re

Alexandra Tsioulou, Gallagher Re

Richard Walker, University of Oxford, Department of Earth Sciences

Nigel Winspear, Sompo International

Info: Workshop Chairs: Carmine Galasso (UCL CEGE), Fatemeh Jalayer (UCL RDR), and James Dalziel (WTW)

Info: Invited speakers: Salvatore Iacoletti (AXA XL) and Cameron Rye (Willis Re)

Info: Invited speakers: Brandon Bradley (University of Canterbury). Earthquake risk is inherently dynamic and changes over time. In this session, we will explore various sources of time dependency that influence risk assessments, including factors related to hazard and vulnerability. Topics will include (but are not limited to) the representation of non-mainshock seismicity within catastrophe models or the impact of aftershocks and seismic sequences on vulnerability. We will also discuss how these dependencies can be incorporated into models to improve accuracy and reliability over time.

Info: Invited speakers: Stefano Lorito (INGV) and Finn Løvholt (NGI). This session aims to gather presentations and insights on the broader consequences of earthquakes beyond ground shaking. Topics of interest include secondary hazards such as tsunamis, landslides, liquefaction, and fire following seismic events. Additionally, we will examine cascading and compounding risks, including supply chain disruptions, contingent business interruption, systemic risks, and the concept of polycrisis. Understanding these interconnected impacts is crucial for comprehensive risk assessment and effective mitigation strategies.

Info: A panel discussion with invited speakers: Alexander Alabaster (AON), Indranil Kongar (Guy Carpenter), Alexandra Tsioulou (Gallagher Re) and Nigel Winspear (Sompo). This session focuses on the practical challenges faced when deploying industry-standard catastrophe models in practice. We will discuss the key steps involved in testing and evaluating these models, including validation, calibration, and sensitivity analysis. The session will also address current hurdles faced by the industry, such as data limitations, model uncertainties, and the need for transparency and consistency in model assumptions and outputs.

Info: Invited speakers: Alexander Alabaster (AON), Indranil Kongar (Guy Carpenter), Alexandra Tsioulou (Gallagher Re) and Nigel Winspear (Sompo)

Info: Invited speaker: Vitor Silva (GEM Foundation). This session will showcase the latest developments and innovations in exposure and vulnerability modelling. Topics will include the use of post-disaster damage detection techniques, machine learning and artificial intelligence applications, and the integration of satellite imagery for rapid assessment. We will explore how these advancements enhance our ability to accurately quantify exposure, evaluate vulnerability, and improve risk estimation in the aftermath of seismic events.

Info: Invited speaker: Andy Thomspon (SafeHub) and Jean-Christophe Garaix (Liberty Mutual). This session will highlight cutting-edge technological solutions transforming catastrophe risk management today. Topics will include the deployment of parametric insurance solutions, the use of sensors and active control systems for real-time risk mitigation, and innovative approaches to event response and recovery. We will explore how these technologies can enhance preparedness, improve response efficiency, and reduce overall risk exposure.

Info: Invited speaker: Jessica Boyd (WTW). Many industry practitioners have not experienced the chaos and complexity of unforeseen events like the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami or the 2010-2011 Christchurch earthquakes. This session aims to identify major, yet underappreciated, risks and events that are currently outside our radar. We will discuss potential blind spots in earthquake risk assessment, explore scenarios of unknown or underestimated risks, and consider how to better prepare for the unpredictable.

Info: Invited speakers: Helen Crowley (GEM), Dana Foley (Chaucer), Salvatore Iacoletti (AXA XL), Fatemeh Jalayer (UCL) and Myrto Papaspiliou (Howden). This session is designed to be highly interactive. Participants will be prompted with questions via Slido to gather diverse perspectives from industry professionals and academia. Following this, an expert panel will comment on the results, fostering a lively discussion. The insights and concerns raised during this session will help shape the agenda and focus of future RIAGE workshops, ensuring they address the most pressing issues faced by the community.

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Host or Publisher UCL Institute for Risk and Disaster Reduction