Despite growing recognition of universities’ critical role in building disaster-resilient communities, limited empirical research has examined university lecturers’ actual engagement with disaster risk reduction (DRR) initiatives, particularly in disaster-prone developing regions, where the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030 emphasizes educational institutions’ pivotal role in community resilience. This study investigates university lecturers’ experiences, perceptions, and engagement patterns in DRR activities across the western region of Java island, Indonesia, through a cross-sectional survey of 411 lecturers from national and private universities across Banten Province, Jakarta, and West Java Province. The validated questionnaire assessed DRR experiences, knowledge levels, engagement patterns, perceptions, and institutional support using a 5-point Likert scale. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, Kruskal–Wallis tests for regional comparisons, and Wilcoxon–Mann–Whitney tests for demographic group differences. Results revealed strong support for academic DRR involvement, with approximately 80% agreeing that academics should engage in research, community outreach, and policy development. However, actual participation levels varied significantly, with Jakarta lecturers demonstrating richer DRR experiences compared with Banten or West Java counterparts. Gender, age, education level, and academic discipline significantly influenced engagement, with humanities majors indicating more positive perceptions than science majors, while duration of DRR involvement emerged as a critical factor affecting both experiences and perceptions across all measured dimensions. This study reveals substantial untapped potential for academic engagement in DRR initiatives, suggesting universities should develop systematic professional development programs, establish clear institutional pathways for lecturer participation, and ensure equitable resource distribution across regions to strengthen disaster resilience building efforts while supporting Sendai Framework implementation goals.

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