Martin Voss

Prof. Dr. Martin Voss serves as Head of the Disaster Research Unit (DRU) at the Institute of Geographical Sciences, Free University of Berlin since 2011. His academic career spans disaster sociology, vulnerability research, and climate change adaptation with extensive fieldwork in Southeast Asia and Germany.

Education:

• PhD (summa cum laude) in Philosophy, University of Kiel (2005)
• Magister Artium (MA), University of Kiel (2001)
• VIPP-Fascilitator certification (2007)

Voss's research focuses on socio-ecological vulnerability, community-based disaster risk management, and transdisciplinary approaches to climate adaptation. His work bridges theoretical frameworks with practical applications in both industrialized nations and developing countries, particularly across Southeast Asia. He examines how social-spatial contexts shape disaster responses and resilience building.

His recent publications reveal strong trends in civil protection governance, volunteer engagement, and weather warning optimization. The 15 most recent articles demonstrate growing emphasis on participatory approaches, multi-actor coordination challenges, and cultural dimensions of disaster response, with increasing attention to European flood events and Indonesian tsunami systems.

Research leadership includes multiple BMBF-funded projects (KOPHIS, FLoodEvac, INVOLVE, VERSS) and EU initiatives (ANDROID-Network). His grant portfolio spans infrastructure resilience, urban safety justice, transboundary climate adaptation, and critical infrastructure security.

Professional activities:

• Founder and spokesperson of international Disaster Network (KatNet)
• Editor of KatNet Newsletter
• Member of German Sociological Association (DGS)
• Chairman of "Disaster Network" (Katastrophennetz e.V.)
• Founding member of Junior Research Group Environmental Sociology

Voss maintains active field connections through projects in Sri Lanka, Thailand, India, and Guatemala, emphasizing community-based adaptation and transdisciplinary knowledge co-production. His work integrates sociological theory with practical emergency management solutions.