Why we exist

Growing social and economic inequalities, rapid demographic change and urbanisation, and environmental degradation and climate change are increasing the impact of disasters worldwide.

These forces are directly shaped by the actions of individuals, communities, business enterprises, organisations, and governments: they generate risk, but also open up opportunities for social progress and planetary well-being. Provided we truly understand what drives risk, how to "de-risk", and what alternative pathways for the future look like.

While scientific research on disaster risk is abundant, it often remains siloed, complex, and inaccessible to decision-makers and the general public. Science communication is therefore a central lever: it transforms knowledge into action, informs public policy, raises awareness among citizens about emerging risks and the consequences of their choices, and thereby strengthens collective resilience.

This recognition directly shapes our mission and values: we value rigorous and transparent science, open knowledge, engaging communication, dialogue, and collaboration grounded in interdisciplinary thinking that turns insight into resilience.

and why KASA

In Japan, KASA (かさ) literally means “umbrella” but also signifies protection and support. The umbrella was a symbol we embraced in our earlier work on disaster risk reduction. 

Phonetically, KASA (/ka.sa/) further echoes the Spanish word for "home": for us, KASA is a home for new ideas, diverse perspectives, and a shared purpose. Closing the circle, the Kanji letter for the Japanese word (傘) resonates this visually and combines it with our quest for a resilient future: it invokes a house, with a protective roof and a strong foundation that holds the life within.  

The KASA-Lab logo, fonts, and design mirror these images and associated concepts, combining them in innovative ways to represent physical risks and human resilience alike.









Recherche