Human infrastructure
Preparedness also depends on how people interpret risk, make decisions, communicate uncertainty and maintain trust.
How ReadyAre We?
How Ready Are We?
Building Trauma-Aware Organizations in the Context of Istanbul Earthquake Risk and Organizational Preparedness
Beyond physical preparedness:
strengthening the
human infrastructure.
A 24-month mixed-methods research project examining how chronic earthquake risk across the Marmara Region shapes organizational decisions, employee psychosocial safety and business continuity.
01 — Project
Why this
project?
Preparedness is more than physical infrastructure; leadership, trust, communication and decision quality also matter.
Chronic threat can normalize risk and delay critical preparedness decisions. Major earthquake risk in Istanbul can also create regional consequences through supply chains and Organized Industrial Zones.
Better decisions under threat; more resilient organizations before crisis.
02 — Research focus
The human and organizational
dimensions of preparedness.
The research examines risk assessment, preparedness decisions, employee safety, leadership practices and business continuity together.
Before the event
Organizational recovery capacity is shaped before a crisis through leadership choices, psychosocial risk management, ethical communication and continuity planning.
Interconnected systems
Major earthquake risk in Istanbul can create regional consequences through supply chains and Organized Industrial Zones.
From research to practice
Institutional experience helps turn research findings into practical tools and realistic policy recommendations.
03 — Scope
Marmara Region
11 provinces, three
11 provinces, three
institutional layers.
Istanbul, Edirne, Kırklareli, Tekirdağ, Çanakkale, Kocaeli, Yalova, Sakarya, Bilecik, Bursa and Balıkesir.
Whose experience will inform the research?
- Development agency representatives
- OIZ board members and managers
- Senior business executives
- HR and OHS leads
- Risk and disaster/emergency management leads
- Operations and business continuity leads
04 — Research process
Exploratory sequential
mixed methods.
Running from May 2026 to April 2028, the project connects qualitative findings with quantitative research and the development of practical tools.
-
01
Qualitative mapping
Understanding regional and institutional experience through in-depth interviews with development agencies, OIZs and firms, and mapping organizational risk areas.
-
02
Quantitative validation and scale development
Conducting large-scale research based on qualitative findings and academic literature, and developing and scientifically evaluating the Organizational Trauma Risk Scale.
-
03
Training and pilot applications
Developing training modules and practical tools for employees, HR professionals and leaders, and conducting pilot applications in selected firms.
-
04
Dissemination and policy outputs
An organizational resilience toolkit, comprehensive findings and policy recommendations, practice-oriented guidance and academic outputs.
05 — Key outputs
From research
to practice.
The knowledge produced will be translated into tools that organizations and decision-makers can use.
Organizational Trauma Risk Scale
A measurement tool adapted to the earthquake preparedness context and scientifically evaluated.
Training Modules and Pilot Applications
Content for employees, HR professionals and leaders, followed by pilot applications in selected firms.
Organizational Resilience Toolkit
Practical guides and tools that organizations can use in implementation.
Findings and Policy Recommendations
Marmara Region findings, policy recommendations and academic dissemination.
Learn about the project
and participation.
Choose the most relevant next step for your organization in the Marmara Region. The project team can provide official participation and information documents upon request.
Schedule an introductory meeting ↗ [email protected]View interview and participation safeguards Ethics, confidentiality and the institution’s role
Ethics and confidentiality
Qualitative interviews are individual and semi-structured, last approximately 45–60 minutes, and may take place in person or on a secure online platform. Participation is voluntary. Audio is recorded only with separate consent; participants may skip questions or withdraw at any time. Organizational names, trade secrets, legally confidential information and personal traumatic experiences will not be requested.
Support requested from institutions
Circulating the invitation to suitable managers and specialists; coordinating a private space for an in-person interview; and completing the required institutional permission process.
What institutions are not asked to do
Institutions are not asked to select or direct participants, track participation or responses, or provide personnel, health or performance records, trade secrets or internal documents.
06 — Project team and institutional structure
Academic expertise and
local implementation experience.
Academic research leadership, Türkiye field coordination and stakeholder engagement come together within one project structure.
Teachers College, Columbia University
Psychosocial Risk Management Institute (PRISMA)
Columbia Global Center Istanbul
View the project team Names and roles
Columbia University Team
Teachers College, Columbia University
Preparedness & Recovery Institute; Columbia Mailman School of Public Health
Türkiye Research Team
Bahçeşehir University; PRISMA; IOCP
Demiroğlu Bilim University; PRISMA; IOCP
PRISMA
PRISMA
IOCP
IOCP
PRISMA
Project network
Project partners and support network.
This project is supported through the Columbia Global–Turkish Philanthropy Funds Resilience Initiative.
Project institutions
Support and project ecosystem
