Born in Mexico City in November 1970, Prof. Irasema Alcántara-Ayala is a leading geographer specialising in geomorphology, landslides, natural hazards, and integrated disaster risk management (IDRM). She earned her bachelor’s degree with First Class Honours in Geography from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) in 1993 and her PhD in Geography/Geomorphology from King’s College London in 1997. She subsequently completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1998–1999) and a specialisation in risk analysis and management at the University of Geneva in 2000.

Her research focuses on understanding the dynamics of natural hazards, vulnerability, and disaster risk, with particular emphasis on landslides and their societal impacts. She has contributed extensively to advancing integrated and interdisciplinary approaches to disaster risk reduction, linking scientific research with policy and practice. In Mexico, she has actively collaborated with national institutions to promote a culture of prevention and risk awareness.

Prof. Alcántara-Ayala has made significant contributions at both national and international levels, including efforts to strengthen the connection between science and public policy in IDRM. Her work has supported initiatives to transform disaster risk governance frameworks and foster more resilient societies. She has also contributed to major international scientific and policy-oriented assessments and collaborative initiatives addressing disaster risk reduction.

A pioneer in integrated disaster risk research, she has played a key role in consolidating interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research in Mexico, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Her work emphasises understanding the root causes and drivers of disaster risk and promotes holistic approaches to territorial management and resilience-building.

She is deeply committed to education and capacity building. At UNAM, she has taught more than 160 undergraduate and postgraduate courses and has supervised over 50 theses across all academic levels. Many of her former students have gone on to become recognised leaders in the field.

Prof. Alcántara-Ayala has held numerous leadership roles within the international scientific community. She is a member of several prestigious organisations, including the Mexican Academy of Sciences and the International Science Council, and has served in advisory and governance roles on global initiatives in disaster risk reduction, geosciences, and climate change. She is currently a Lead Author for the IPCC Seventh Assessment Report (AR7) and holds key leadership positions in international scientific committees focused on disaster risk reduction.

Her contributions have been widely recognised through numerous national and international awards, reflecting her impact on both scientific advancement and its application to societal challenges. Her work continues to advance the integration of science and policy, promoting innovative and inclusive approaches to disaster risk management and sustainable development.