On Tuesday 23th of April the Pandemic and Disaster Preparedness Center (PDPC), Smarter Choices for Better Health (SCBH) and Erasmus Centre for Health Economics Rotterdam (EsCHER) organized a “Matchmaking event for interdisciplinary research on economic aspects of pandemic & disaster preparedness”.

The Pandemic and Disaster Preparedness Center (PDPC), Smarter Choices for Better Health (SCBH), and Erasmus Centre for Health Economics Rotterdam (EsCHER) aim to strengthen their collaboration by developing interdisciplinary research on the economic aspects of pandemic and disaster preparedness. A budget has been allocated for an open call for one or more projects that investigate this, and explicitly seek cooperation between PDPC and SCBH or EsCHER affiliates.

Twenty-two researchers attended the matchmaking event from the Erasmus University, ErasmusMC and TU Delft, with various backgrounds ranging from hydrology, epidemiology to health economics. The event started with a warm welcome and background of the event from Prof. Pearl Dykstra, Director Societal preparedness research PDPC, who was the moderator. Jeannette de Boer, Head of Education PDPC Academy, provided a short introduction of the PDPC frontrunner and academy projects. Followed by seven pitches from researchers, who presented their own ideas, research interests and needs for interdisciplinary research.

Picture: Prof. Job van Exel, full professor of Health Economics at Erasmus School of Health Policy & Management (ESHPM) and Director of Research and Vice Dean of ESHPM

After the break, the participants had the opportunity the exchange ideas, share their expertise and discuss potential research ideas during the interactive workshop. The event was concluded with a round up, general discussion and Nora Buenemann, Project Manager PDPC, provided more information about the call for proposals. During the drinks afterwards, the researchers continued their lively discussions and had ample time to network. The deadline for the submission for the call for proposals is 28 June 2024, more information about the funded proposals will be provided at a later date.

On behalf of PDPC, SCBH and EsCHER we would like to thank all participants and especially Pearl Dykstra, Hans van Kippersluis, Jeannette de Boer and Nora Buenemann for starting this initiative and organizing the event.