To advance scholarship and services in an area of contemporary importance for the city of Chicago and the world, the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) established the International Center on  Responses to  Catastrophes (ICORC)in 2002 through the collaborative efforts of faculty and administrators. The ICORC is a cross-campus unit organized through the Department of Psychiatry and the Office of the Vice Chancellor of Research.

Its primary mission is to promote multidisciplinary research and scholarship that contributes to improved helping efforts for those affected by catastrophes. The Center is highly multidisciplinary in approach with university faculty from collaborating departments and colleges, representing mental health and health services, humanities and social sciences. Vital to the Center's work is building national and international collaborations with academic, advocacy and services organizations.

ICORC activities have three core realms of focus:

• Documentary: To document the human experiencing of catastrophes through literary and multi-media approaches;
• Ethnographic: To analyze the cultural and social dimensions of social catastrophes through ethnographic inquiries;
• Intervention: To conduct innovative, family focused and community based, and/or services research on changing the consequences of catastrophes.

In fulfilling its mission, the ICORC:

• Conducts interdisciplinary, collaborative and original research on human responses to catastrophes;
• Serves as a venue for regular scholarly dialogue on topics central to the documentation and improvement of responses to catastrophes;
• Promotes partnership and collaboration within UIC, as well as with other organizations and institutions conducting research and interventions in this area;
• Prepares the next generation of scholars, scientists, documentarians, and policy-makers through multidisciplinary education and training.