Dr. Michel Dückers is research programme leader at the Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research (Nivel) and at ARQ National Psychotrauma Centre. In his research a focus is placed on health effects of disasters and environmental hazards as well as the quality and organization of the response. Michel has been involved in recent European projects aimed at optimizing the management of public health crises and vulnerability reduction, focusing on particular topics such as post-disaster mental health and psychosocial support, infectious threats and healthcare optimization for refugees and other migrants (e.g. OPSIC, EUTOPA, CBRN, EUNAD, EUR-HUMAN, GERi and SoNAR-Global). He is an advisor for national and local governments in the event of calamities. Michel publishes frequently in international journals and books.