Head of Research Center for Earth, Disaster, and Climate Change:
Lalu Muhamad Jaelani, ST, M.Sc, Ph.D Research Center Building 7th Floor Jalan Teknik Kimia, Kampus ITS Sukolilo Surabaya, Indonesia 60111.
When the disaster struck various regions in East Java, several disaster researchers of ITS gathered and formed the Center for Disaster Studies (PSB) on March 24, 2004. The establishment of the PSB was supported by Bakornas PB and the Indonesian Disaster Management Society (MPBI). In 2008 the PSB changed its name to the Center for Earth and Disaster Studies (PSKB) in the hope that it could help collect internal resources and become a research field for Geoscience experts of ITS while preparing for the establishing of several departments related to earth science. In 2012, when the climate change issue became trending topic in various parts of the world, PSKB was renamed the Research Center for Earth, Disaster and Climate Change (PSKBPI). As an institution, PSKBPI is one of the study centers which is under the Institute for Research and Community Service (LPPM). This institution was established to implement the vision and goal of ITS to be able to actively participate in the development of science, technology, and art, especially in marine, settlement and energy through international quality research activities. Therefore, PSKBPI manages and utilizes all resources to participate in solving problems faced by the community, especially in disasters and climate change. This study center continuously build awareness of disasters, especially for the ITS academics civities and generally the people in Surabaya and East Java. Therefore, PSKBPI builds a network with various stakeholders concerning in earth, disaster, and climate change both nationally, regionally and internationally. Some networks that are PSKBPI partners are: East Java Provincial Government, National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), Surabaya City Satkorlak PB, Center for Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation (PVMBG), MPBI, PT PRB Forum, UNICEF, UNDP, OCHA UN, UNEP, UNDAC, SCDRR, AUSAID, USAID, OXFAM, GTZ, Paklim GIZ, various NGOs and the general public. On March 3, 2016, ITS issued a policy to restructure existing study centers under the coordination of LPPM. The Spatial Data Infrastructure Study Center (PSIDS), better known as the Spatial Data Infrastructure Development Center (PPIDS), which is an institution formed by the Geospatial Information Agency (BIG), is incorporated in the PSKBPI. To facilitate coordination between researchers and facilitate the achievement of a large target of the study center, PSKBPI formed 4 (four) working groups that focus on areas of expertise under the PSKBPI. The four include: Working Groups for Earth Study, Working Groups for Disaster Studies, Working Groups for Climate Change Studies, and Working Groups for the Study of Spatial Data Infrastructure
Based on the research center roadmap, research topics are include: