Disaster studies conceptualizations in Finnish and in Finland: resiliently towards hazards?

Abstract

Disaster studies examines the societal impacts of hazards, disasters and crises but the field is not yet well established in Finland. We review and debate Finnish disaster-related concepts and conceptualizations. The topic is timely as (1) disasters are a contemporary challenge both globally and in Finland, (2) pre-existing Finnish concepts are partly problematic in the context of natural hazards, and (3) conceptual clarity advances collaboration in the disaster context where research and practice are intertwined. We discuss the key concepts and approach the topic from three complementary perspectives. Firstly, we review selected key concepts in the international literature. Secondly, we summarize Finnish disaster risk governance and related vocabulary. Thirdly, we explore the Finnish research on disasters, risks, and crises. Although we emphasize certain interpretations of the concepts, we do not intend to give fixed definitions, as the versatility of concepts is inherent to any interdisciplinary field.