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Biography

Dr. Henry Ngenyam Bang is a distinguished scholar and established thought leader in disaster risk management teaching, research, and professional practice spanning more than 15 years in Africa & the UK. His expertise in African disaster risk management has been felt through the contribution of innovative insights into the practical activities of African disaster management agencies/organizations and policy recommendations that have enhanced operational disaster management in the continent.

Dr. Bang’s academic profile reveals interdisciplinary knowledge in Applied Geology (BSc, MSc) obtained at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and the University of Buea, Cameroon, respectively, and a second MSc (Environment and Development) and Ph.D. (International Development) obtained at the University of East Anglia, UK. His core Ph.D. training was in the field of disaster risk management and International Development. Henry’s Ph.D. thesis addressed core themes like disaster mitigation, preparedness and response, social vulnerability, risk perception, and relocation decisions...

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Research

Henry has contributed substantially to thought leadership research and expertise in operational disaster risk management issues plaguing Least and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) particularly those in Africa.

Dr. Bang is an expert in African disaster management with interdisciplinary research interests that cover various themes including disaster risk management, governance of disaster risks, institutional, policy, legislative, and administrative frameworks for disaster management, natural hazard-induced disasters, climate change/ risks, crisis communication, complex emergencies and the nexus between disasters, development, and indigenous knowledge. Of particular interest are the trajectories of vulnerability and resilience to disaster risks in developing countries. This has been demonstrated by several research projects.

Henry has participated in and directed disaster management research projects in Africa. As project director and PI, he successfully completed a GCRF-funded project entitled “Enhancing Livelihood Resilience of Protracted Internally Displaced Populations (IDPs) in West Africa” in 2021. Strategically, ELIED aimed to provide an agile response to livelihood challenges faced by internally displaced persons (IDPs) due to the Cameroon Anglophone Crisis, which has recently been determined by Henry and a co-author to be an acute complex emergency (Bang and Balgah, 2022). The project was facilitated by in-country collaborators (academics, NGOs, research assistants, etc.). Through semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and the administration of close to 2,000 survey questionnaires involving local NGOs, IDPs, and government officials, ELIED has generated abundant data...

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Dr. Bang demonstrated intellectual prowess and thought leadership for real-time research under challenging circumstances by researching the health crises caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

COVID-19 was unprecedented yet provided a rare opportunity to research one of the worst health crises to ever impact mankind. During the coronavirus pandemic, Dr. Bang led a consortium of academics, researchers, and health professionals in the UK and abroad to investigate the challenges faced by the Least and Medium Income Countries (LMICs) in dealing with the health crisis. The research team generated empirical data online from health practitioners in LMICs tackling the pandemic. The data-rich data provided insights into governance and other health-related resilience challenges developing countries were facing as they struggled to mitigate the impact of the rapid virus spread. The research has led to the publication of five peer review articles between 2020 and 2022 addressing the following themes: resilience of developing country health systems during the pandemic, governance of the COVID-19 crises, COVID-19 crisis communication, health education during the pandemic and health and economic imperatives during the pandemic.

Despite the public health challenges posed by the pandemic the population (including researchers) this experience illustrates the relevance of seeing challenges as opportunities and maximising them, in this instance, to carry out real-time and agile health crisis research...

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Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals

In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person's work contributes towards the following SDGs:

No poverty

"End poverty in all its forms everywhere"

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Zero hunger

"End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture"

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Decent work and economic growth

"Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all"

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Climate action

"Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts"

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Journal Articles

  • Bang, H., 2022. Cameroon’s ‘exploding lakes’: disaster expert warns deadly gas release could cause another tragedy. The Conversation.
  • Bang, H., 2022. The environment is the silent casualty in the Cameroon Anglophone crisis. THE CONVERSATION.
  • Bang, H., 2022. A Concise Appraisal of Cameroon’s Hazard Risk Profile: Multi-Hazard Inventories, Causes, Consequences and Implications for Disaster Management. GeoHazards, 3 (1), 55-87.
  • Bang, H. and Balgah, R., 2022. The ramification of Cameroon’s Anglophone crisis: conceptual analysis of a looming “Complex Disaster Emergency". Journal of International Humanitarian Action, 7.
  • Bang, H.N., 2021. A gap analysis of the legislative, policy, institutional and crises management frameworks for disaster risk management in Cameroon. Progress in Disaster Science, 11.
  • Reddin, K., Bang, H. and Miles, L., 2021. Evaluating simulations as preparation for health crises like CoVID-19: Insights on incorporating simulation exercises for effective response. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 59.
  • Ndi, H., Ndi, R., Bang, H., Mbah, M. and Ndzo, J., 2021. Health and economic imperatives for households in the context of the anti-Covid-19 strategy in Cameroon - The case of Yaounde. Journal of Humanities and Applied Social Sciences.
  • Ngenyam Bang, H. and Church Burton, N., 2021. Contemporary flood risk perceptions in England: Implications for flood risk management foresight. Climate Risk Management, 32.
  • Mbah, M., Bang, H., Ndi, H. and Ndzo, J.A., 2021. Community Health Education for Health Crisis Management: The Case of COVID-19 in Cameroon. International Quarterly of Community Health Education.
  • Bang, H.N., 2021. Applying the novel IDEA model for instructional health risk and crisis communication to explore the effectiveness of the COVID-19 crisis communication in Cameroon. Journal of emergency management (Weston, Mass.), 20 (7), 77-102.
  • Bang, H., 2020. An Overview of the Covid-19 Crisis Management in Cameroon: Decentralised Governance Response Needed. Annals of Disaster Risk Sciences, 3 (2).
  • Bang, H.N., Miles, L.S. and Gordon, R.D., 2020. Challenges in managing technological disasters in Cameroon: Case study of Cameroon's worst train Crash—the Eséka train disaster. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 44.
  • Bang, H.N., Mbah, M.F., Ndi, H.N. and Ndzo, J.A., 2020. Gauging Cameroon’s resilience to the COVID-19 pandemic: implications for enduring a novel health crisis. Transforming Government: People, Process and Policy, 15 (4), 658-674.
  • Bang, H., Miles, L. and Gordon, R., 2019. Disaster Risk Reduction in Cameroon: Are Contemporary Disaster Management Frameworks Accommodating the Sendai Framework Agenda 2030? International Journal of Disaster Risk Science.
  • Bang, H., Miles, L. and Gordon, R., 2019. Hurricane Occurrence and Seasonal Activity: An Analysis of the 2017 Atlantic Hurricane Season. American Journal of Climate Change.
  • Bang, H., Miles, L. and Gordon, R., 2019. Evaluating local vulnerability and organisational resilience to frequent flooding in Africa: the case of Northern Cameroon. Foresight, 21 (2), 266-284.
  • Balgah, R.A., Bang, H.N. and Fondo, S.A., 2019. Drivers for coping with flood hazards: Beyond the analysis of single cases. Jamba: Journal of Disaster Risk Studies, 11 (1), 1-9.
  • Bang, H., Miles, L. and Gordon, R., 2018. Enhancing local livelihoods resilience and food security in the face of frequent flooding in Africa: A disaster management perspective. Journal of African Studies and Development, 10 (7), 85-100.
  • Bang, H., Miles, L. and Gordon, R., 2017. The Irony of Flood Risks in African Dryland Environments: Human Security in North Cameroon. World Journal of Engineering and Technology, 5, 109+-121.
  • Sabi, H.M., Mlay, S.V., Tsuma, C.K. and Bang, H.N., 2015. Conceptualizing user preference and trust in western designed banking software systems in developing countries. Journal of Internet Banking and Commerce, 20 (3).
  • Bang, H.N., 2014. General overview of the disaster management framework in Cameroon. DISASTERS, 38 (3), 562-586.
  • Bang, H.N., 2013. Governance of disaster risk reduction in Cameroon: The need to empower local government. Jamba: Journal of Disaster Risk Studies, 5 (2).
  • Bang, H.N. and Few, R., 2012. Social risks and challenges in post-disaster resettlement: The case of Lake Nyos, Cameroon. Journal of Risk Research, 15 (9), 1141-1157.
  • Bang, H.N., 2012. Disaster management in Cameroon: The Lake Nyos disaster experience. Disaster Prevention and Management: An International Journal, 21 (4), 489-506.

Books

  • Bang, H., 2016. 30 Years After the Lake Nyos Disaster: What Prospects for Rehabilitation and Reintegration in the Region? Disaster Management, Social Vulnerability, Risk Perception and Relocation Decisions in Cameroon. US: Book Venture Publishing.

Chapters

  • Bang, H., 2022. Policy and Institutional Frameworks for Disaster Risk Management in Cameroon: Challenges and Prospects. In: Balgah, R. and Kimengsi, J., eds. Disaster Management in Sub-Saharan Africa: Policies, Institutions and Processes. Emerald Publishing Limited.
  • Bang, H.N., 2022. The Application of Indigenous Knowledge for Disaster Risk Management and Sustainable Development: Insights from Developing Countries. World Sustainability Series. 319-336.
  • Bang, H., 2018. Introduction to Floods. In: Gordon, R., ed. Introduction to Disaster Management for Military Staff Officers. BUDMC.
  • Bang, H., 2018. Introduction to Cyclones. In: Gordon, R., ed. Introduction to Disaster Management for Military Staff Officers. BUDMC.
  • Miles, L., Gordon, R. and Bang, H., 2017. Blaming Active Volcanoes or Active Volcanic Blame? Volcanic Crisis Communication and Blame Management in the Cameroon. In: Fearnley,, C., Bird, D., Jolly, G., Haynes, K. and McGuire, B., eds. Observing the Volcano World, Volcanic Crisis Communication. Springer.
  • Bang, H., 2015. Disaster Management in Cameroon: The Lake Nyos Disaster Experience. In: Emerald Group, L., ed. New Perspectives in Global Environmental Disasters. Emerald Group Publishing Limited, 57-78.

Conferences

  • Bang, H., Baker-Beall, C., Miles, L. and Balgah, R., 2022. The political dynamics of disaster management research in Cameroon: Evidence from the ELIED-project. In: 13th Dealing with Disasters Conference 9-10 June 2022 Northumbria University.
  • Bang, H., 2018. Disaster Risk Reduction: A Challenge in African Disaster Management-an Analysis of the October 2016 Eseka Train Accident in Cameroon. In: UK Alliance for Disaster Research Conference 27-28 March 2018 Bristol, UK.
  • Bang, H., Miles, L. and Clark, M., 2018. A Glass of Disaster Management with a Foreign Policy Entrepreneurship Twist? Entrepreneurial Resilience and Foreign Policy Dynamics in Ghana. In: 59th Annual Convention of the International Studies Association 4-8 April 2018 San Francisco, California, USA.
  • Bang, H. and Miles, L., 2017. A Glass of Crisis Management with a Foreign Policy Twist?: Entrepreneurial Resilience in the Cameroon. In: European International Studies Association (EISA) 7-9 June 2017 Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK.
  • Bang, H., 2017. The Irony of Flood Risks in African Dryland Environments: Human Security in North Cameroon. Proceedings of the International Conference on Disaster Prevention and Public Safety, Gaulin, China. In: International Conference on Disaster Prevention and Public Safety 23-25 August 2017 Gaulin, China.
  • Bang, H., 2017. Learning from Disasters: Analysing the London Grenfell Tower Fire Disaster (GTD) within the Realm of Disaster Risk Management. In: Word Bosai Forum (WBF) International Disaster Risk Conference 25-28 November 2017 Sendai, Japan.
  • Miles, Miles, L. and Bang, H., 2017. A Glass of Crisis Management with a Foreign Policy Twist? Entrepreneurial Resilience in the Cameroon. In: International Studies Association (ISA) 58th Annual Convention 22-25 February 2017 Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
  • Bang, H. and Miles, L., 2016. Disaster risk perception in Cameroon and its implications for the rehabilitation of the Lake Nyos Disaster survivors. Proceedings of the 6th International Disaster and Risk Conference: Integrative Risk Management - Towards Resilient Cities, IDRC Davos 2016, 73-76.
  • Bang, H., Sabi, H.M., Mlay, S.V. and Tsuma, C.K., 2014. Use of Western designed software packages in developing countries: Implications for their effectiveness in a different context. In: 6th International Conference on ICT for Africa 1-4 October 2014 Yaounde, Cameroon.
  • Bang, H., 2012. Governance of disaster risk reduction in Cameroon: The need to empower Local Government. In: 1st biennial conference of the Southern Africa Society for Disaster Reduction 10-12 October 2012 North West University, South Africa.
  • Bang, H., 2009. The human cost of natural disasters in Cameroon: What implications for disaster survivors? In: International Disaster and Risk Conference 13 July-15 September 2009 Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China.
  • Bang, H., 2009. Warning systems in natural disaster affected local communities in Cameroon. Can they mitigate feature risks to Life? In: PhD Conference on Current Debates in International Development 25-26 June 2009 School of International Development, University of East Anglia, UK.
  • Bang, H., 2008. Present risks in Lake Nyos: Is Cameroon prepared for another great disaster? In: International Disaster Risk Conference 25-29 September 2008 Davos, Switzerland.
  • Bang, H., 2008. Social vulnerability and risk perception to natural hazards in Cameroon two decades following the tragic Lake Nyos gas disaster: What future prospect for the displaced disaster victims? In: Summer Academy on Social Vulnerability 26 July-1 August 2008 United Nations University, Germany.

Reports

Internet Publications

Theses

  • Bang, H., 2010. Natural Disaster Risk, Vulnerability and Resettlement: Relocation Decisions following the Lake Nyos and Monoum Disasters in Cameroon. PhD Thesis. School of International Development, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK.

PhD Students

  • Suzanne Gosling. Talking reform, but not doing reform? Investigating the international humanitarian dynamics of humanitarian reform in the health sector of humanitarian assistance.
  • Faisal Al Hajri. Enhancing Disaster Risk Reduction and Response: A Comparison of the Complexities of Inter-Sectoral Coordination in the Omani Disaster Management System 2010-2020

Profile of Teaching PG

  • MSc Disaster Management
  • Meteorological Hazards
  • Natural Hazards Risk Analysis
  • MSc Tourism and Crisis Management
  • Introduction to Natural Hazards
  • CPD 3 Management of Natural Hazard-Induced Disasters
  • Geological Hazards
  • Resilience to Natural Hazards
  • Vulnerability to Natural Hazards
  • Climate Change Occurrence, Impacts and Management
  • Flood occurrence, Impacts and Management
  • Wildfires Occurrence, Impacts and Management
  • Earthquake Occurrence, Impacts and Management
  • Drought Occurrence, Impacts and Management
  • Risk Analysis Exercises
  • Disaster Preparedness and Response Exercises

Profile of Teaching UG

  • Introduction to Geological Hazards
  • Introduction to Meteorological Hazards
  • Managing Crisis and Disasters
  • Tourism and Hospitality
  • Introduction to Resilience and Vulnerability
  • Tourism and Hospitality
  • Rapid Onset Hazards
  • Slow Onset Hazards

Invited Lectures

  • Managing Tourism Operations During a Disaster, Bournemouth University, 05 May 2017 more
  • Geological Characteristics of Earthqakes, Arts University, Bournemouth, 16 Jan 2017 more

Grants

  • Stakeholder Analysis for Maximum Impact (SAMI) Workshop (BU Research Impact, 11 Jul 2022). Completed
  • Enhancing Livelihood Resilience of Protracted Internally Displaced Populations (IDPs) in West Africa (ELIED) (Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF), 02 Nov 2020). Completed
  • Driving African Capacity in Disaster Management (AFRICAB) (Global Challenges Research Fund, 13 Feb 2018). Completed

External Responsibilities

Internal Responsibilities

  • PhD Dissertation Supervisor, BUDMC PhD Students
  • MSc Dissertation Supervisor, MSc Disaster Management Students
  • Post-Graduate Research Lead, BUDMC Post-Graduate Students
  • Unit Leader, Management of Natural Hazards
  • Assessor, PhD Major Review
  • Coordinator of PhD Seminars, PhD Students
  • Organiser of 'Crisis Hour' Discussions and Debates, Disaster Management Centre

Journal Reviewing/Refereeing

  • Stochastic Environmental Research and Risk Assessment, 08 Dec 2022
  • Climate Risk Management, 15 Dec 2020
  • Journal of International Humanitarian Action, 14 Oct 2020
  • Transforming Government: People, Process and Policy, 20 Aug 2020
  • International Journal of Tourism Research, 31 Jan 2020
  • Risk Analysis: an international journal, 12 Dec 2019
  • American Journal of Climate Change, 03 Dec 2018
  • Foresight, 26 Jun 2018
  • Jàmbá : Journal of Disaster Risk Studies, 04 Apr 2018
  • Stochastic Environmental Research and Risk Assessment, 07 Jun 2017
  • Environment, Development and Sustainability: a multidisciplinary approach to the theory and practice of sustainable development, Anonymous peer review, 22 Mar 2017
  • GeoJournal, 04 Jan 2017
  • Refugee Quaterly Review, Anonymous peer review, 12 Dec 2016
  • Refugee Survey Quarterly, 05 Dec 2016
  • Disaster Prevention and Management: an international journal, 09 Dec 2014
  • Disaster Prevention and Management, 24 Oct 2013

Public Engagement & Outreach Activities

  • “Stakeholder Analysis for Maximum Impact (SAMI) Workshop” (14 Jul 2022-16 Jul 2022)
  • Public presentation entitled " Learning from Disasters: Analysing the London Grenfell Disaster within the Realm of Disaster Risk Management. (08 Jul 2017-12 Jul 2017)
  • Presentation (28 Jun 2016)

Conference Presentations

  • UK Alliance for Disaster Research, Viewing Community Resilience in the South through the “eyes” of Mega Storms: A conceptual Analysis, 17 Jul 2019, Northumbia University, Newcastle
  • National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (NPDRR) - Coordination Conference Meeting on Preparedness for the Rains, AFRICAB Preliminary Results: Driving African Disaster Management Capacity-Building in Sierra Leone, 23 May 2019, Office of National Security (ONS) Building, Freetown, Sierra Leone
  • 4th Global Summit of Research Institutes for Disaster Risk Reduction, Disaster risk reduction in West Africa: are contemporary disaster management frameworks accommodating the Sendai framework agenda 2030?, 13 Mar 2019, Kyoto, Japan
  • 'Unlocking Resilience in Disaster Management in Ghana' AFRIGATE National Parliamentary Briefing of Ghanaian Parliamentarians, Bournemouth University, UK, Unlocking Gateways in Disaster Management in Ghana, 12 Nov 2018, Executive Business Centre (EBC) Bournemouth University, UK
  • 'Unlocking Resilience in Disaster Management in Ghana', GCRF AFRICAB National Parliamentary Briefing of Ghanaian Parliamentarians, Bournemouth University, UK, 'Understanding Single Points of Failure in Disaster Management in Africa', 12 Nov 2018, Executive Business Centre (EBC), Bournemouth University, UK
  • 4th Biennial Conference of the Southern Africa Society for Disaster Reduction (SASDiR), Durban, South Africa, Understanding Single Points of Failure in Disaster Management in Africa: A Driver for Research-informed Professional Practice and Capacity-building, 17 Oct 2018, Durban, South Africa
  • • 4th Biennial Conference of the Southern Africa Society for Disaster Reduction, Challenges in Managing Technological Disasters in Africa: Case study of the Eséka Train Accident in Cameroon, 17 Oct 2018, Durban, South Africa
  • 59th Annual Convention of the International Studies Association, A Glass of Disaster Management with a Foreign Policy Entrepreneurship Twist? Entrepreneurial Resilience and Foreign Policy Dynamics in Ghana, 04 Apr 2018, San Francisco, California, USA
  • UK Alliance for Disaster Research Conference, Disaster risk reduction: A challenge in African disaster management-an analysis of the October 2016 Eseka train accident in Cameroon., 27 Mar 2018, Bristol
  • Word Bosai Forum (WBF) International Disaster Risk Conference, Learning from Disasters: Analysing the London Grenfell Tower Fire Disaster (GTD) within the Realm of Disaster Risk Management, 25 Nov 2017, Sendai, Japan
  • International Conference on Disaster Prevention and Public Safety, The Irony of Flood Risks in African Dryland Environments: Human Security in North Cameroon. Proceedings of the International Conference on Disaster Prevention and Public Safety, Gaulin, China, 23 Aug 2017, Gaulin, China
  • European International Studies Association (EISA), A Glass of Crisis Management with a Foreign Policy Twist?: Entrepreneurial Resilience in the Cameroon, 07 Jun 2017, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
  • International Studies Association (ISA) 58th Annual Convention, Baltimore, Maryland, USA, A Glass of Crisis Management with a Foreign Policy Twist? Entrepreneurial Resilience in the Cameroon (with H Bang), 24 Feb 2017, Hilton Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
  • International Disaster and Risk Conference, Disaster Risk Perception in Cameroon and its Implications for the Rehabilitation of the Lake Nyos Disaster Survivors, 28 Aug 2016, Davos, Switzerland
  • International Disaster and Risk Conference, Global Risk Forum, Disaster Risk Perception in Cameroon and its Implications for the Rehabilitation of the Lake Nyos Disaster Survivors (with Henry Bang), 28 Aug 2016, Davos, Switzerland
  • 1st biennial conference of the Southern Africa Society for Disaster Reduction, Governance of disaster risk reduction in Cameroon: The need to empower Local Government, 10 Oct 2012, South Africa
  • International Disaster and Risk Conference, The human cost of natural disasters in Cameroon: What implications for disaster survivors?, 13 Jul 2009, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China.
  • PhD Conference on Current Debates in International Development, Warning systems in natural disaster affected local communities in Cameroon. Can they mitigate feature risks to Life?, 25 Jun 2009, UK
  • International Disaster Risk Conference, Present risks in Lake Nyos: Is Cameroon prepared for another great disaster?, 25 Sep 2008, Davos, Switzerland
  • Summer Academy on Social Vulnerability, Social vulnerability and risk perception to natural hazards in Cameroon two decades following the tragic Lake Nyos gas disaster: What future prospect for the displaced disaster victims?, 26 Jul 2008, Germany

Attended Training

  • Incident Command Systems, 11 May 2021, Certificate of Attendance
  • Doctoral Supervisory Development Training for Established Supervisors, 10 Oct 2019, Certificate of Training Provided
  • Doctoral Supervision Development: New Supervisors Training or Refreshal Course, 19 Oct 2016, Certificate of Attendance

Qualifications

  • PGCE in Education (Bournemouth University, 2019)
  • PhD in International Development (University of East Anglia, UK, 2009)
  • MSc in Environment and Development (University of East Anglia, UK, 2005)
  • MSc in Applied Geology (University of Buea, Cameroon, 1999)
  • BSc (Hons) in Geology (Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria, 1997)

Memberships

  • UK Higher Education Academy, Fellow (2019-),
  • International Studies Association, Member (2016-2018), http://www.isanet.org/
  • Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Response Association, International, Member, http://www.disasters.org/
  • Global Alliance for Disaster Research Institutes (GADRI), Member,
  • UK Alliance for Disaster Reduction, Member,