From February 15 to February 17, 2024, I had the privilege of attending the International Conference on Big Data for Disaster Response and Management in Asia and the Pacific, which was held at the prestigious Tohoku University in Sendai, Japan.

The conference was organized in collaboration by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the International Research Institute of Disaster Science (IRIDeS). IRIDeS was established at Tohoku University after the catastrophic 2011 East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami to contribute to the ongoing resilience and recovery efforts in the affected areas.

After inspiring greetings from Toshiya Ueki, Vice President of Tohoku University, two impressive keynote speeches were given. Nalini Venkatasubramanian, Professor at the University of California, Irvine, spoke about ‘Enabling Resilient Cyber-Human-Infrastructure: Emerging Technologies’, while David Lallemant, Assistant Professor at Nanyang Technological University, presented ‘Beyond Volume: Refining Big Data for Disaster Resilience’.

This was followed by the first technical presentations, where I was able to gain a deep insight into the application of statistical and machine learning methods in the field of disaster response and management. It was fascinating to see how versatile big data and innovative technologies can be used to anticipate disasters, minimize their impact and ensure an effective response to crises.

On the second day of the conference, I gave my presentation on the influence of entrepreneurs’ social identity on their resilience in crisis situations. I received constructive feedback, especially on the specification of the hypotheses and the depth of the explanation of the measurement methods.

In addition, my role as a discussant taught me how to critically discuss scientific papers. In addition to the professional added value and scientific insights, the conference provided an excellent opportunity to network and exchange ideas with colleagues from different countries and disciplines. This experience will undoubtedly enrich my academic development.

In addition, the trip to Japan gave me the opportunity to experience the beauty and culture of this fascinating country. From the awe-inspiring sights to the exquisite cuisine, every moment was enriching. Overall, my business trip to Sendai and participation in the International Conference on Big Data for Disaster Response and Management was an extremely rewarding experience.

I am grateful for the opportunity to expand my knowledge, make new contacts and experience the inspiring atmosphere of the conference. I look forward to incorporating what I have learned into my future work and making a positive contribution to creating resilient infrastructures and ecosystems in our region.