Exploring Women Leadership and Disaster Management in Tohoku: A Research Experience by MIK Student, Risnan Aldino
Believing that experiential learning is a key component of education, Risnan Aldino, a police officer currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Disaster Science (MIK), embarks on a journey to Sendai to deepen his understanding of leadership and disaster management from August 1 to 10, 2024.
Supported by the Master’s Thesis Research Grant (PTM) from Universitas Syiah Kuala (USK), Risnan is undertaking a research attachment in Tohoku, Japan, under the guidance of Prof. Dr. Ir. Agussabti, M.Si, Dr. Rina Suryani Oktari, S. Kep. M. Si, from USK and Assoc. Prof. Nishi Yoshimi from Kyoto University. The research aims to investigate the role of women leadership in decision-making processes in areas affected by tsunamis in Aceh and Japan. This research lead by Dr. Rina Suryani Oktari and funded by Sumitomo Foundation.
During his time in Tohoku, Risnan and the research team conducted several interviews with women leaders who played pivotal roles following “The Great East Japan Earthquake” on March 11, 2011. The team also visited various museums and memorial sites dedicated to commemorating the earthquake, as well as the International Research Institute of Disaster Science (IRIDeS) at Tohoku University.
These visits to disaster memorial sites broadened the research team’s perspective on the importance of early and continuous disaster education. Effective mitigation requires communities to understand the disaster risks they may face. Similarly, discussions at IRIDeS with Tohoku University on potential research collaborations are expected to advance the field of disaster science.
Conversations with several respondents involved in emergency response, rehabilitation, and reconstruction provided valuable lessons. The awareness and decision-making skills of leaders in critical times need early and consistent education, starting from family and immediate surroundings, regardless of gender.
This journey represents a significant step in Risnan’s academic career. The experiences gained are anticipated to contribute to his thesis research on social conflict disasters and provide valuable insights for his police duties.
