Shining a light on hazards

Predict, respond, recover: science and natural disasters - this was the theme for Science at the Shine Dome 2018, the flagship annual symposium for the Australian Academy of Science.

The Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC was invited to be a partner for this prestigious event, which was held on Tuesday 22 May at the Shine Dome in Canberra as part of a week of activities for fellows of the Academy and the general public. The day provided an opportunity to explore the critical role that science plays in predicting, mitigating, responding to and recovering from natural hazards and extreme weather events.

The program featured many CRC speakers including CRC CEO Dr Richard Thornton, who spoke on the need to define the main scientific questions. New CRC Board member, Mark Crosweller, who leads the National Resilience Taskforce for the Australian Government  discussed the global future of natural hazards and their relation to climate change and national policy.

CRC researcher Associate Professor Jason Sharples, from the University of New South Wales, spoke of his work modelling the dynamics of bushfire. Professor Vivienne Tippett, from Queensland University of Technology, closed the day with a talk that brought together much of the science on natural hazards into warnings and information messages for the public. Other speakers addressed issues on heatwaves, marine heatwaves, earthquakes, severe weather systems, and mental health impacts on young people. The day concluded with the Academy inducting their new fellows, among them former Bushfire CRC project leader Prof Alan Andersen. This is one of the highest recognitions for a scientist in Australia and the CRC congratulates Alan for this great achievement.   

Earlier the same day, the Parliamentary Friends of Science held a breakfast briefing on natural hazards science at Parliament House Canberra. Several CRC researchers briefed MPs and parliamentary staff on the state of their projects and the potential impacts on local communities. The briefing was part of a regular informal meeting between scientists and MPs on current issues.