Willis in academic partnership on floods

The Willis Research Network is partnering with the University of Bologna to include the renowned Italian institution’s flood research as part of a more robust risk modelling offering for clients.

The University’s WRN activities are led by Professor Ezio Todini, who has held the Chair in Hydrology at Bologna since 1980. Professor Todini is one of the world’s leading flood and rainfall run-off researchers, with particular focus on extreme events. His research and models are used worldwide including Europe, Africa and China.

Professor Todini is supported by Dr Mario Martina, appointed as Willis Research Fellow at Department of Earth and Geo-Environmental Science and the University of Bologna. Dr Martina has worked in the field of flood modelling for more than ten years.

The University of Bologna joins the WRN group of complementary flood specialists at the universities of Princeton, Bristol, Durham, London, National University Singapore and SEA Australia.

Professor Todini said, “The co-optation of the University of Bologna within the WRN is an outstanding recognition of the role and qualification of the flood research carried out over the last decade by the hydrological group of the Department of Earth and Geo-Environmental Sciences. In terms of research programmes the WRN will allow us to combine the essential requirements and understanding of the reinsurance industry with the scientific approach and dedicated research of academia. The University of Bologna team looks forward to a fruitful, interesting and innovative research cooperation.”

Rowan Douglas, chairman of the Willis Research Network, said “We have had the pleasure and privilege of working with Professor Todini and Dr Martina for some time. I am delighted that we now have been able to take our relationship with them, and the University, to an even deeper level. We are determined to extend Willis’s lead across insurance related flood risk modeling and this is another important step.”