Prof. dr Vladimir M. Cvetković
Prof. Dr. Vladimir M. Cvetković is recognized as a leading expert in Disaster Risk Management, with a focus on Risk Reduction, Preparedness, Response, and Recovery. He distinguishes himself as an esteemed Associate Professor specializing in Disaster Risk Management at the Department for Disaster Management and Environmental Security, Faculty of Security Studies, University of Belgrade. Adjunct Professor at Technical University of Leoben in Austria, Safety and Disaster Management (SDM). Engaged as a professor at FH Campus Wien – University of Applied Sciences in Vienna, where he teaches the course “Integriertes Sicherheitsmanagement” (ILV) within the Integrated Safety and Security Management program (ISM). President and Founder of the Scientific-Professional Society for Disaster Risk Management, the Director of the International Institute for Disaster Research (IDR), and the Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal International Journal of Disaster Risk Management. He has authored over 300 scientific papers published in domestic and international journals and proceedings, as well as 30 books. He has participated in more than 100 scientific conferences, and 10 national and international projects, reviewed over 250 scientific papers, and organized numerous training sessions in the field of emergency protection and rescue. He has received numerous national and international awards and recognitions, including the Danubis Young Scientist Award (2017) from the Austrian Federal Ministry of Science, Research and Economy and the Institute for the Danube Region and Central Europe for the best young scientist from Serbia; selected as the “Local Expert” for Serbia in the field of disaster risk management by the international consortium and CIMA Research Foundation; award for the best student of his generation at the Criminalistic-Police Academy (10.00 average); and one of the top cadets of the Secondary School of Internal Affairs, Pane Đukić, 35th class. He graduated in 2010 as the top student of his class (average grade: 10.00) and defended his master’s thesis in 2012 at the Academy of Criminalistics and Police Studies in Belgrade. He earned his PhD in 2016 from the Faculty of Security Studies, University of Belgrade, where he is currently employed as an Associate Professor. In addition to his work at the aforementioned institution, he has also worked at the Criminalistic-Police University and at the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Serbia, Police Department Kragujevac. He completed his Secondary School of Internal Affairs (average grade: 5.00) in Sremska Kamenica in 2006 as one of the top students of his class, and his primary education at “Sveti Sava” Elementary School in Batočina in 2002 as a holder of the Vuk’s Diploma (average grade: 5.00).
ProSafeNet – The Global Hub for Safety, Security, Risk & Emergency Professionals and Scientists
Founder & Visionary Creator
ProSafeNet serves as the global hub for safety, security, risk, and emergency (disaster) practitioners, professionals, and scientists – including police, firefighters, rescuers, medics, emergency responders, and military personnel—as well as security managers, civil protection teams, volunteers, students, companies, and NGOs.
Within ProSafeNet, members share knowledge and experience, connect, train, innovate, communicate, conduct research, respond to emergencies, and access real-time tools – from news and policy labs to jobs, security alerts, volunteering opportunities, and community resilience hubs – transforming expertise into action for a safer, more resilient world.
Built by experts for experts, ProSafeNet empowers smarter decisions, faster responses, and stronger global collaboration.
A project by the Scientific-Professional Society for Disaster Risk Management. More than a platform — ProSafeNet is where safety & security professionals unite globally to share knowledge, enhance readiness, and lead coordinated action in times of risk and crisis. Built by experts, for experts — to empower better decisions, faster response, and stronger professional bonds.
ProSafeNet is an intelligent digital platform designed to connect, empower, and support professionals and institutions working in the fields of: safety, security, policem disaster risk reduction (DRR), crisis response, public health preparedness, and emergency management. In an era of increasingly complex and global risks — from pandemics and climate-related disasters to cyber threats, hybrid crises, and systemic vulnerabilities — the need for collaborative, timely, and expert-driven solutions has never been greater.
No matter your badge, title, or background – if your work is devoted to protecting lives, infrastructure, or the environment – you belong in ProSafeNet.
Join us today and become part of a global movement. Create your profile, connect with peers, access real-time tools, share knowledge, and grow your professional impact.
www.prosafenet.com; media@prosafenet.com.
Together, we can build a safer, smarter, and more resilient world.
Founder and Editor-in-Chief – International Journal of Disaster Risk Management (IJDRM)
Since 2019, I have served as the founder and Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Disaster Risk Management (IJDRM) — a peer-reviewed, open-access international journal dedicated to advancing scientific knowledge and practical understanding in the fields of disaster risk management, emergency response, and hazard governance. The journal was established within the framework of the Scientific-Professional Society for Disaster Risk Management and has quickly grown into a respected platform for academics, practitioners, and policy-makers around the world.
IJDRM is published twice a year and operates under a rigorous double-blind peer-review process. It welcomes high-quality contributions that explore both natural and man-made hazards, including earthquakes, floods, pandemics, technological accidents, cyber threats, and complex emergencies. The journal promotes interdisciplinary research and global collaboration with a focus on reducing disaster risks and enhancing community and institutional resilience in alignment with sustainable development goals.
The scope of IJDRM is broad and inclusive, addressing themes such as disaster and crisis management theory and practice, risk awareness and communication, hazard and vulnerability assessment, knowledge development, legal and institutional frameworks, emergency planning, infrastructure protection, climate adaptation, public health resilience, and social dimensions of disasters including gender, inclusion, and equity.
Types of contributions accepted include original research articles, review papers, theoretical and methodological studies, case studies, and policy and practice briefs. The journal values both global and region-specific research, comparative studies, and context-sensitive analyses that offer transferable lessons and advance the field of disaster risk management. IJDRM is published by the Scientific-Professional Society for Disaster Risk Management, based in Belgrade, Serbia. I am honored to lead this initiative, contributing both editorially and conceptually to its mission of connecting researchers and practitioners and supporting knowledge-based disaster governance at all levels.
The journal’s print ISSN is 2620-2662, and its electronic ISSN is 2620-2786. It is indexed under the UDC classification 614.8.069 and abbreviated as Int. J. Disaster Risk Manag. There are no article processing charges (APCs) or submission fees for authors. More information is available through the journal’s official website, as well as its presence on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Scientific-Professional Society for Disaster Risk Management (SPS-DRM)
Prof. Dr. Vladimir M. Cvetković founded the Scientific-Professional Society for Disaster Risk Management (SPS-DRM) on June 15, 2018, recognizing the urgent need for an interdisciplinary, expert-led platform that would unify researchers, practitioners, and decision-makers in the field of disaster risk management. Since its founding, he has served as the Society’s President, leading its growth into one of the most prominent and active professional organizations in the region. The Scientific-Professional Society for Disaster Risk Management (SPS-DRM) is a vibrant, non-governmental, and non-profit organization committed to advancing the science, policy, and practice of disaster risk management. The Society’s mission is to strengthen the theoretical and empirical foundations of the field, conduct advanced quantitative and qualitative research, organize high-impact national and international conferences, establish and manage academic journals, deliver comprehensive training programs, conduct expert risk assessments, and contribute to public policy dialogue and implementation. SPS-DRM is built on the belief that civil society and non-governmental organizations play a vital role in enhancing disaster preparedness and resilience. Their contribution to risk reduction, community engagement, public education, emergency assistance, and coordination with official emergency services is irreplaceable. In this spirit, the Society unites professionals from diverse backgrounds to promote systemic and inclusive disaster governance. Today, SPS-DRM has over 2,000 members, including professors from all public and private universities in Serbia, researchers, emergency professionals (police, fire and rescue, EMS, military, and NGO personnel), as well as students and young professionals involved in disaster-related fields. Membership is open to anyone with an interest in advancing disaster risk knowledge and practice and can be obtained through a simple application process available on the Society’s website. In pursuit of scientific excellence, SPS-DRM established the International Institute for Disaster Research on December 21, 2020. The Institute serves as a center for fundamental, applied, and developmental research, addressing topics such as hazard phenomenology, risk preparedness and mitigation, emergency response, recovery processes, legal frameworks, and international cooperation in disaster contexts. It also acts as a hub for interdisciplinary innovation and knowledge transfer. SPS-DRM actively develops and implements training programs, seminars, workshops, and educational courses tailored for citizens, students, and professionals from institutions involved in risk management. These programs are designed to enhance technical skills, build awareness, and promote community engagement in disaster preparedness and response.Through its diverse activities, SPS-DRM aims to foster a culture of safety and resilience, support local and national institutions, and contribute to global disaster risk reduction efforts. Guided by its commitment to academic rigor, public service, and international collaboration, the Society continues to be a key driver of innovation, capacity building, and strategic thinking in disaster risk management.
International Institute for Disaster Research (IDR)
International Institute for Disaster Research (IDR), a center of excellence for scientific research and innovation in disaster risk management. The Institute was founded in 2020 in Belgrade by the Scientific-Professional Society for Disaster Risk Management. Its founder and director is Prof. Dr. Vladimir M. Cvetković, a distinguished professor at the University of Belgrade – Faculty of Security Studies and an internationally recognized expert in the field of disaster studies and risk governance. The Institute’s core mission is to conduct basic, applied, and developmental research within the scientific discipline of disaster risk management. We are committed to contributing to global disaster resilience and preparedness by producing and disseminating high-quality scientific knowledge. This includes the publication of scientific papers, reports, books, and monographs that offer insights into the causes, consequences, and management of natural and technological disasters. The International Institute for Disaster Research is organized into several research units specializing in key thematic areas such as disaster phenomenology, vulnerability, resilience, preparedness, mitigation, protection, response, recovery, and international cooperation. The Institute explores both the theoretical and practical aspects of disaster risk, including classification and typologies of hazards, risk assessment methodologies, systems thinking, decision-making in crises, community-based resilience, and the application of modern technologies such as GIS and remote sensing in disaster risk management. A significant focus of the Institute is on supporting young and emerging researchers. By building a team of dedicated and ambitious associates, the Institute provides a space for professional growth through involvement in national and international projects, hands-on research activities, and mentorship. Young researchers are offered the opportunity to gain experience in project writing, data analysis, fieldwork, and scientific publication. During their initial engagement, volunteer participation is expected until project funding is secured. Upon receiving financial resources, researchers are guided into formal training programs aimed at obtaining scientific and professional qualifications, supported by a network of experienced mentors. Research conducted at the Institute aligns with the Law on Scientific and Research Activity of the Republic of Serbia and follows the Institute’s officially adopted program orientation. Topics include disaster etiology and classification, vulnerability and resilience metrics, disaster prevention and preparedness, legal and institutional frameworks, risk communication, emergency planning, crisis response, and post-disaster recovery. The Institute actively contributes to strengthening the disaster risk reduction agenda through its collaboration with national and international partners and alignment with global frameworks such as the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.
Recent Posts
- Disaster risk perception and local resilience near the “Duboko” landfill: Challenges of governance, management, trust, and environmental communication in Serbia
- Official international promotion of the ProSafeNet application
- engaged as an Associate Professor at the Academy of Applied Studies Belgrade – Department of the High Medical School in Zemun
- ProSafeNet just earned its place among Europe’s best!
- Donation of 270 printed books of the “Emergency Response Guide 2024” to the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Serbia
- ProSafeNet Research Hub
- The ProSafeNet Training Hub
- Signing of Memorandum of Strategic Cooperation between ProSafeNet and the Faculty of Security – Skopje, “St. Kliment Ohridski” University – Bitola
- Introducing the ProSafeNet Volunteering Center – a dedicated space that connects volunteers, professionals, and organizations united by one mission: strengthening community safety, preparedness, and resilience.
- Introducing ProSafeNet Events – a professional hub for knowledge sharing, networking, and capacity building in the fields of safety, security, risk, and emergency management.
Employment
Department of Disaster and Environmental Security, Faculty of Security Studies, University of Belgrade, Gospodara Vučića 50, Belgrade 11000
Scientific-Professional Society for Disaster Risk Management, Belgrade
International Institute for Disaster Research, Belgrade
International Journal of Disaster Risk Management (IJDRM)
Email addresses
You can contact me via the following email addresses: vladimirkpa@gmail.com vmc@fb.bg.ac.rs
