This issue of Southasiadisasters.net celebrates the illustrious life and career of Dr. Ian Davis, a pioneer in the field of disaster risk reduction (DRR). Aptly titled, ‘The Contribution of Dr. Ian Davis to Disaster Risk and Recovery Management 1972- 2020′, this issue highlights how Dr. Davis’ seminal work gave rise to the field of Disaster Studies which later came to define the larger field of disaster risk reduction (DRR) in the international development and humanitarian ecosystems.