Three notable contributions at AFAC18

Three CRC researchers were recognised for their extensive and thorough contributions to natural hazards science at AFAC18 powered by INTERSHUTZ in Perth.

Dr Mel Taylor from Macquarie University, was presented with an award for her outstanding research on managing animals in disasters. Agency warnings now contain community reminders to consider pets and farm animals in the lead up to bushfire season.

Mel’s work identifies best practice approaches to animals in emergency management, an area that has previously been lacking in research and scientific evidence. The team from the Managing animals in disaster project has worked with communities like the Springwood Neighbourhood Centre, Blue Mountains Animal Ready Community, the Mountains Community Resource Network and the NSW SES to implement their research into practice.

Dr Mel Taylor receives an award for her outstanding research on animals in emergency management.

Dr Briony Towers from RMIT University was recognised for her contributions to child-centred risk reduction. Briony received the Early Career Researcher Award for being a researcher that has spent her entire academic career with the CRC. Briony has worked with disaster-prone primary schools to implement education and hazard reduction strategies.

Briony’s research has been acknowledged by local schools around Australia and on an international scale, where she has informed networks and academics at conferences on the benefits of educating children about disasters.

Dr Briony Towers was recognised as an early career researcher at the CRC.

The CRC also awarded a special recognition honour to John Schauble from Emergency Management Victoria for his work as an end-user on several key CRC research projects. John, who recently retired, was a key end-user and supporter of the CRC since the inception as the Bushfire CRC.

The CRC congratulates all award winners and is looking forward to seeing where their research takes them next.