Workshops

NEHRP Post-Earthquake Investigations Plan Exercise and Workshop

Organizer: EERI
Monday, July 13, 2026
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Registration Rate: Invitation-Only

This full-day workshop will bring together a wide group of post-earthquake investigators and key federal, state, and non-governmental organization representatives to participate in a table-top exercise of the updated “Plan to Coordinate Post-Earthquake Investigations Supported by the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP)” (Circular 1542). The workshop will increase awareness of the newly updated Circular and improve the readiness of the post-earthquake investigation community to contribute to NEHRP investigations. Participants will be better prepared to coordinate and gather critical post-earthquake data, have a better understanding of how to contribute to federal NEHRP post-earthquake investigations, and be better connected to the rest of the post-earthquake investigation community. This workshop is supported by the U.S. Geological Survey under Cooperative Agreement No. G25AC00469-00.

Earthquake Ground Motion Simulation Validation & Utilization for Engineering Applications

Organizer: SCEC
Monday, July 13, 2026
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Registration Rate: $35

Simulated earthquake ground motions are useful in engineering applications, from developing ground motion models to improving seismic hazard assessments and performing structural response analyses. Various simulation approaches—including stochastic, physics-based, and hybrid methods—offer unique strengths depending on the intended application. Over the past two decades, major advances have refined ground motion simulations, and coordinated efforts led by the Southern California Earthquake Center (SCEC) have helped bridge the gap between simulation developers and engineering practitioners.

SCEC, now the Statewide California Earthquake Center, aims to renew and expand this collaboration. This workshop will bring together researchers and professionals from earthquake science and engineering to address two key challenges: (1) validating simulated ground motions for use in probabilistic seismic hazard analyses, and (2) developing standardized guidelines for their application in engineering practice. These efforts are critical for building confidence in simulations and ensuring their effective integration into seismic design and risk mitigation.

To support these goals, several virtual events will precede the workshop to identify speakers and discussion panelists, fostering a focused and productive dialogue. We invite participation from ground motion modelers, research and practicing engineers, hazard and risk analysts, and building code developers to help shape the future of ground motion simulation.

Using NHERI RAPID Instrumentation in Natural Hazards Reconnaissance

Organizer: NHERI-RAPID
Monday, July 13, 2026
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Registration Rate: $35

This workshop will cover aspects of natural hazards reconnaissance with the instrumentation available at the RAPID Facility, which is supported by NSF and NIH and is part the Natural Hazards Engineering Research Infrastructure (NHERI). The workshop will provide an overview of the RAPID Facility’s science plan, recent advances in reconnaissance data collection methods, the facility’s available instrumentation portfolio, and logistics for using the facility’s resources. Recent example use cases and data sets will be discussed where high-impact research outcomes were achieved. In the second half of the workshop, hands-on training for workshop attendees will be provided on both terrestrial lidar and street view equipment. Attendees will also have the opportunity to work with collected data and learn about the RAPID’s data processing tools.

Nonstructural Fragility Database Development Hackathon

Organizer: NIST
Monday, July 13, 2026
1:00-3:00 PM
Registration Rate: $35

Observations from past earthquakes reveal how damage to nonstructural components majorly contributes to building function loss. However, the fragility data currently used by engineers and researchers is fragmented and out of date. The recently developed Nonstructural Element Database (NED) is an open-source, relational database that represents a robust collection of nonstructural test data and fragility models, with a refactored architecture that promotes data transparency, reuse, and scalability.

The goal of this workshop is to introduce recent developments in nonstructural fragility data collection and dissemination and directly contribute to these developments in a unique hackathon format. Session participants will be given a brief introduction to the development of the NED database, back-end repository, and user-interface tools. Participants will be broken into small groups and asked to use the NED tool to complete one of three tasks: (1) identify knowledge gaps in the database and upload findings; (2) develop a new fragility model from the available test data or benchmark existing fragilities against test data; or (3) implement fragility models from the database into a building performance assessment. Finally, participants will be asked to share results from their tasks and brainstorm ways the database could be improved to meet future project needs.

Planning the Future of NEHRP: A Workshop to Advance National Legislation for Earthquake Risk Reduction

Organizer: EERI Public Policy & Advocacy Committee
Friday, July 17, 2026
1:00-5:00 PM
Registration Rate: $35

The National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP), established in 1977, has long served as the cornerstone of coordinated federal efforts to reduce earthquake risks in the United States. However, as the seismic risk landscape evolves and new challenges emerge—ranging from rapid urbanization to aging infrastructure—there is a pressing need to plan how NEHRP will rise to these new challenges and realize a nation more resilient to earthquakes. This interactive half-day workshop will convene a diverse range of stakeholders—including engineers, researchers, policy makers, emergency managers, community advocates, and federal agency representatives—to provide structured input on future NEHRP content, structure, goals, and implementation mechanisms. Attendees will engage in interactive discussion and activities to identify priority areas for legislative and programmatic enhancements. Key themes and recommendations will be compiled and distributed post-conference by a new EERI Public Policy and Advocacy Committee working group committed to supporting NEHRP reauthorization efforts.

Securing Your Dream Job Position: Academic and Industry Hiring Workshops Hosted by the Younger Members Committee

Organizer: EERI Younger Members Committee
Friday, July 17, 2026
1:00-5:00 PM
Registration Rate: $35

Are you a student, post-doc, or early-career professional planning your next career step in earthquake engineering or seeking a change in your professional path?

Join this workshop organized by the EERI Younger Members Committee (YMC) to learn how to navigate the job market, and transition to your next role. YMC will hold two concurrent workshop sessions, one focused on a career path in industry and the second on academia. Attendees should choose their preferred workshop session.

Our industry hiring workshop will feature a diverse panel of professionals across earthquake engineering, private consulting, government, and research, including practice leaders and principal engineers. They will share practical advice on pursuing jobs in industry, from identifying roles and tailoring applications, to interviewing and networking. You will have the opportunity to improve your CV, practice your elevator pitch, and more.

Our academic hiring workshop will feature a diverse panel of early-career faculty who have been through the application, interview, and negotiation process themselves and are excited to answer your questions. You will have the opportunity to work on your resume, research, and teaching statements, receive targeted feedback, and more.

Target audience: Post-doctoral researchers, undergraduate and graduate students, early-career professionals