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15 years of Science for Resilience

The Willis Research Network (WRN) was created in 2006 and celebrates its 15-year anniversary this year. Our 2021 WRN conference (18-20th May) looked back at 15 years of partnership with public science, and achievements along the way to develop practical, applied research that delivers innovative insights on risk and resilience. It also looked ahead at the challenges we still face. This page collates the conference plenary sessions, designed for a broad, not-necessarily technical audience, yet interested in how science is helping risk and resilience decision-making.

This page also provides a wide selection of further material: interviews, blogs, “tech-talks” and seminars on demand, for further insights into research projects.


Day 1: Weather, Climate and Flooding

Weather and flood related risks drive significant economic and insured natural catastrophe losses, posing considerable challenges across global insurance portfolios and large complex organisations, especially in the context of a changing climate. Since 2006, WRN partners have advanced understanding of these challenges and supported the development of practical solutions.

Session 1: The impact of Willis Research Network

Live session recording
  • Welcome and keynote address – reflecting on the impact of WRN on the industry
    This video focuses on the introduction to the conference and it is followed by James Vickers reflecting on the impact of WRN on the industry. Professor Dame Julia Slingo and Dr. Greg Holland also elaborate on climate change and the challenges ahead and the session is finished following a panel session moderated by Rowan Douglas.
Watch more

Session 2: Flood risks under the spotlight

Live session recording
Panel session podcast

In 2019, the Bank of England’s Prudential Regulation Authority challenged the insurance industry to stress test their portfolios for the impact of climate change. This regulatory push has been reinforced by investor pressures and a societal push within the market and put the flood risk in particular under the spotlight where academic insights provided the competitive edge. In 2021, the quest is still on, and the industry is leaning increasingly on academia for credible answers.

Moderator

Nalan Senol Cabi
Nalan Senol Cabi

Head of Flood Risks Research
Willis Research Network


Panellists

Prof. Chris Kilsby
Prof. Chris Kilsby

Professor of Hydrology and Climate Change
Newcastle University


Dr. Shie-Yui Liong
Dr. Shie-Yui Liong

Consultant to Tropical Marine Science Institute of
National University of Singapore


Richard Sanders
Richard Sanders

Executive Director
Willis Re


Dr. Timothy Fewtrell
Dr. Timothy Fewtrell

Regional Director
Willis Re


Dr. Jeff Czajkowski
Dr. Jeff Czajkowski

Director
National Association of Insurance Commissioners


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Rising levels of flood risk (audio only)
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    • WRN Spotlight: Nalan Senol Cabi
      Nalan Senol Cabi is the Head of Flood Risks Research at Willis Research Network.
    • WRN Spotlight: Bessie Schwarz
      Bessie Schwarz is the CEO and Co-founder of Cloud to Street.
    • WRN Spotlight: Gabriele Villarini
      Gabriele Villarini reflects back on his time as a WRN Fellow at Princeton University and his interactions across the network providing an interdisciplinary approach to understanding risk.
    • WRN Spotlight: Paul Bates
      Professor Paul Bates, Professor of Hydrology at the University of Bristol and founder of Fathom discusses his position as a founding member of the Willis Research Network looking at applied flood research for the insurance industry.
    • WRN Spotlight: Chris Kilsby
      Professor Chris Kilsby from Newcastle University provides his views on the decade of work completed with the Willis Research Network looking at flood analysis and modelling.
    • WRN Spotlight: Yui Liong
      Shie-Yui Liong looks back on his time at WRN Partners the Tropical Marine Institute at the National University of Singapore.
    • WRN Spotlight: Tim Fewtrell
      Tim Fewtrell provides his thoughts on the evolution of the Willis Research Network.
    • Indonesia Flood Model
      Richard Sanders, Executive Director, Willis Re

    Session 3: Weather and climate risk research: From  insight to impact

    Live session recording
    Panel session podcast

    An overview of WRN's weather and climate research over the last 15 years, with a panel discussion including the academic speakers and representatives from Willis Towers Watson, who answered questions from the audience relating to research and current business applications.

    Moderator

    Geoffrey Saville
    Geoffrey Saville

    Head of Weather and Climate Risks Research
    Willis Research Network


    Panellists

    Dr. James Done
    Dr. James Done

    National Center for Atmospheric Research


    Prof. Dr Michael Kunz
    Prof. Dr Michael Kunz

    Karslruhe Institute of Technology


    Dr. Tina Thomson
    Dr. Tina Thomson

    Head of Catastrophe Analytics EMEA West-South
    Willis Towers Watson


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    Modelling weather risk in a changing climate (audio only)
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      • Willis Research Network Spotlights with James Done
        This video focuses on understanding high impact weather and the physical processes behind catastrophic weather events.
      • WRN Spotlight: Understanding weather events and climates by analyzing the extent, severity and origins of hailstorms and thunderstorms
        Dr. Heinz Jürgen Punge talks weather events and climates, focusing on thunderstorms and hail research. This is done by looking at satellite data and radar data to analyse the extent, the severity and the origins of hailstorm.
      • Willis Re EMEA Hail models - use cases and additional offering for our clients
        Willis Re discuss hail model developments across the EMEA region, and their application to business needs.
      • WRN Spotlight: Jeff Czajkowski
        An interview with former WRN fellow Jeff Czajkowski from his time working with the Willis Research Network.
      • WRN Spotlight: Chiara Lepore
        Chiara Lepore discusses her work at Columbia University which focusses on severe weather modelling across North America.
      • WRN Spotlight: Ben Youngman
        Dr. Ben Youngman talks about his research with the WRN and how it can be applied to industry needs.

      Day 2: Earth and Secondary Perils

      The 10-year anniversary of Tohoku reminds us that earthquakes have unpredictable and devastating consequences and require in depth understanding of the science and physics behind them. It was also a reminder that so-called secondary perils need more focus alongside traditional risks.

      Session 1: Less modelled perils: Future directions

      Live session recording
      Panel session podcast

      Our panel session on Day 2 focused on volcanic, tsunami, and other secondary peril research and why they are lagging behind more established hazard modelling and what we need to do in order to improve our understanding of such risks.

      Moderator

      James Vickers
      James Vickers

      Chairman of Willis Re International


      Panellists

      Prof. Imamura
      Prof. Imamura

      IRIDeS
      Tohoku University, Japan


      Prof. Anawat Suppasri
      Prof. Anawat Suppasri

      IRIDeS
      Tohoku University, Japan


      Dr. Alejandro Martí
      Dr. Alejandro Martí

      CEO Mitiga Solutions
      Barcelona, Spain


      Prof. Tiziana Rossetto
      Prof. Tiziana Rossetto

      EPICentre
      University College London


      Dr. Graham Felce
      Dr. Graham Felce

      Divisional Director, Catastrophe Analytics Asia Pacific
      Willis Re International


      Andrew Hall
      Andrew Hall

      Global Client Relationship Director
      Willis Towers Watson


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      Panel Session: The Perils of Unmodelled (audio only)
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          • Bridging the gap between Science and Academia
            Max Arizzi discusses strategic considerations on motivations of working with academia for developing a stronger view of risk.
          • The Portuguese risk landscape
            The Association of Portuguese Insurers (APS) provide their views on the current risk landscape and challenges of catastrophe risk to the Portuguese Re/insurance market.
          • Japan Tsunami Model
            Graham Felce introduces the tsunami model built with WRN input, and Koji Yamamoto discusses how the model has been used to support decision-making through case studies.

          Session 2: Standard for global modelling with local impact

          Live session recording
          Panel session podcast

          For the second panel session of the day we outlined the global public-private modelling initiatives and their application across different stakeholder communities, their benefits, and the requirements for developing, curating and sustaining global systems and tools, and in particular how these can be applied to support global, regional, and local risk assessment and risk reduction strategies.

          Moderator

          Matt Foote
          Matt Foote

          Director, Climate and Resilience Hub
          Willis Towers Watson


          Panellists

          John Schneider
          John Schneider

          Global Earthquake Model Foundation


          Prof. Paul Bates
          Prof. Paul Bates

          Cabot Institute for the Environment
          University of Bristol


          Dr. Emma Raven
          Dr. Emma Raven

          Principal Analyst
          JBA Risk Management


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          Panel session: Global Risk models (audio only)
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            Session 3: Seismic Risk: Aftershocks and Megashocks

            Live session recording
            Panel session podcast

            Listen to an in-depth discussion on the role research can play in helping understand Seismic risk, including case study examples of applied work and the potential impacts to significantly improve the accuracy and range of projected losses for future large earthquake events.

            Moderator

            Prasad Gunturi
            Prasad Gunturi

            Executive Vice President
            Willis Re


            Panellists

            Dr. Ross Stein
            Dr. Ross Stein

            CEO, Temblor


            Prof. Kim Olsen
            Prof. Kim Olsen

            Department of Geological Sciences
            San Diego State University


            Dr. Myrto Papaspiliou
            Dr. Myrto Papaspiliou

            Lead Earthquake Specialist
            Willis Re


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            Panel session: The future direction of earthquake research (audio only)
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                Seismic Risk: Aftershocks and Megashocks
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                Day 3: Emerging Risks, Future of Technology and Societal Resilience

                The past year has shown the nature of risk is changing dramatically. New insights are needed as risk is recognised as increasingly interconnected and people and technology-driven, with discussions around “digital-first” and societal resilience taking centre stage.

                Session 1: Emerging Risks

                Live session recording

                In preparation for the 2021 Willis Research Network conference, the Emerging Risks hub ran a survey looking to gain insight into the emerging risks on the agenda of clients, colleagues and industry across key themes. Lucy Stanbrough, Head of Emerging Risks for the Willis Research Network, introduces how outputs from this survey are being used to populate rich narrative scenarios that draw together and highlight the interconnections between drivers and risks. These scenarios formed the basis of discussion between panel members representing key perspectives to highlight risks, opportunities, and how science can be used to support awareness and understanding.

                Moderator

                Lucy Stanbrough
                Lucy Stanbrough

                Head of Emerging Risks Research,
                Willis Research Network


                Panellists

                John M. Bremen
                John M. Bremen

                Managing Director, Human Capital & Benefits, and Global Head of
                Thought Leadership and Innovation, Willis Towers Watson


                Karen Larbey
                Karen Larbey

                Global Head of Industry, Aerospace,
                Willis Towers Watson


                Harjeet Dhillon
                Harjeet Dhillon

                Executive Director, Willis Re


                Amalia Khachatryan
                Amalia Khachatryan

                Deputy Director & Head of Scenarios and
                Policy Planning, Oxford Analytica


                Dr Nina Seega
                Dr Nina Seega

                Research Director for Sustainable Finance at the Cambridge
                Institute for Sustainability Leadership


                Watch more
                • Pandemics under the microscope: using science for resilience
                  On October 8th 2020 the Willis Research Network hosted a webinar with our partner, Metabiota, to discuss how they use science to help business and countries build resilience.
                • Emerging risks with Willis Re ERM and Willis Research Network
                  Lucy Stanbrough joins Dave Ingram and Daniil Shalmiyev for the final ERM Webinar of 2020 on Emerging Risks.
                • Willis Research Network Spotlight series: Elisabeth Braw
                  Elisabeth Braw directs the Modern Deterrence project at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), a Willis Research Network Partner. In this video she discusses how the project’s research applies to the industry and modern society.
                • Impact of Pandemic in Life Programmes
                  Inti Gomez, Head of Actuaries, Willis Re Latin America & Caribbean, and Miguel Araujo, London Reinsurance Broking & CAT Analytics Lead for Iberia, Willis Re

                Session 2: The Digital Future

                Live session recording
                Panel session podcast

                The next generation of technology will have profound implications for the way we work. The panel discussion brought together a number of perspectives on what the Digital Future means for technology.

                Moderator

                Fredrik Motzfeldt
                Fredrik Motzfeldt

                GB Regional Industry Leader for Technology, Media and Telecommunications (TMT)
                Willis Towers Watson


                Panellists

                Stuart Calam
                Stuart Calam

                Programme Director of Willis Research Network
                Head of Technology Risks Research


                Heather Connery
                Heather Connery

                Corporate Risk and Broking (GB) Chief of Staff
                Willis Towers Watson


                Prof. Peter Kawalek
                Prof. Peter Kawalek

                Professor of Information Management, Director of the Centre for Information Management
                Loughborough University


                Mark Galgano
                Mark Galgano

                Digital Advisor
                Microsoft


                Jenn Kelly
                Jenn Kelly

                Senior Director, Embark & Embark for Total Rewards
                Willis Towers Watson


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                The Digital Future (audio only)
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                  • Cyber attacks: from crime to nation-state tool of aggression
                    The nature of our relationship with technology is increasingly complex and challenging and this evolution permeates across the risk landscape. Elisabeth Braw from the RUSI (Royal United Services Institute) Modern Deterrence Programme gives insight into the changing nature of cyber-attacks and what this means for business today.
                  • Toward AI 2.0: Transfer Learning
                    Taken from the TECHNGI & WRN Artificial Intelligence and Next Generation Insurance Services conference, David Lopez lecturer in Digital Economy at Exeter University provides perspectives on transfer learning as a cornerstone for implementing Artificial Intelligence.
                  • Artificial Intelligence and Business Models
                    Professor Chris Holland provides insight on the use of Artificial Intelligence in business models.
                  • Panel session on Cyber Risk Management
                    A panel session from the 2019 WRN Conference featuring Andrew Hall (Willis Towers Watson), Matt Palmer (Willis Towers Watson), Elisabeth Braw (RUSI - Modern Deterrence programme), Prof. Andrew Martin (University of Oxford - Cyber Security Centre) and Pete Cooper (Pavisade) providing a tour d’horizon of the top cyber risks and trends, reflecting on how organisations are currently managing those risks.
                  • Willis Research Network Spotlight series: Alistair Milne
                    Alistair Milne is a professor of financial economics at Loughborough University. He was previously at Cass Business School and also held positions at the Bank of England, the University of Surrey, London Business School, HM Treasury and the national statistics office of Malawi.
                  • Quarterly InsurTech Briefing Q1 2021
                    This briefing explores the InsurTech’s InsurTech initiatives and thought leaders focused on the future of product and service.
                  • The Game of insurance - Tradeoffs in loss prevention and insurance
                    Have you wondered how loss prevention affects your insurance costs? Brooks Kaiser will give insights to her empirical research on the understanding of the game of property insurance in the Danish market.

                  Session 3: Science for Resilience

                  Live session recording

                  COVID-19 made it clear that we must be prepared to expect the unexpected and change mindsets from ‘just in time’ to ‘just in case’. Our closing keynote address will be given by Lord Toby Harris, chairman of the National Preparedness Commission, who will share his thoughts on how stress tests and preparedness must be core to national and business strategy.

                  Panel session podcast

                  Our panel moderated by Hélène Galy, WRN Director, explored how the conversation is shifting from risk (and passive resilience) to active resilience (with its growth mindset), leading to a more positive evaluation of the business case for investment in resilience.

                  Moderator

                  Helene Galy
                  Helene Galy

                  Willis Research Network


                  Panellists

                  Lord Toby Harris
                  Lord Toby Harris

                  Chair of the National Preparedness Commission


                  Patricia Mackenzie
                  Patricia Mackenzie

                  Head of ERM
                  Willis Towers Watson


                  Tim Hodgson
                  Tim Hodgson

                  Co-head of the Thinking Ahead Institute
                  Willis Towers Watson


                  Professor Jim Hall
                  Professor Jim Hall

                  Director of Research in the School of Geography and the Environment


                  Simon Ruffle
                  Simon Ruffle

                  Director of Research & Innovation
                  Cambridge Centre for Risk Studies


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                  Panel Session: The shift from Risk to Resilience (audio only)
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                      • Automated Regulatory Compliance
                        Prof. Alistair Milne, Professor of Financial Economics at Loughborough University discusses automated regulatory compliance and how lessons from RegTech in banking can be applied to the insurance industry.
                      • Panel session on Geopolitical Risks and Trends
                        Neal Croft (Willis Towers Watson), Sir Richard Shirreff (Strategia Worldwide), Paul Davison (Willis Towers Watson: Financial Solutions) and Amalia Khachatryan (Oxford Analytica) discuss top Geopolitical risks and trends, risk mitigation strategies and how better insights can turn risk into opportunity from our 2019 WRN Conference.
                      • From Battlefield to Boardroom: Insights into geopolitical drivers of risk and opportunities
                        Sir Richard Shirreff, NATO’s former Deputy Supreme Commander Europe, surveys the Geopolitical landscape and explores opportunities which boardrooms should consider in order to manage risk effectively.

                      Visit the Willis Research Network page for more information.


                       
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