CRC researcher named top research talent

CRC research leader Prof John Handmer of RMIT University has been named the top researcher in emergency management by The Australian.

Showcasing leading researchers from a variety of fields, the annual Research magazine acknowledges Prof Handmer’s leadership and achievements in emergency management research; from humble beginnings as a motorcycle mechanic to achieving his honours, masters and then a PhD in flood management, before moving toward research in the social and community aspects of fire management.

Prof Handmer has a long history with both the Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC and the Bushfire CRC as a leader in research into community safety. His initial work provided a pivotal evaluation of the ‘stay or go’ policy, before broadening to research on shared responsibility, non-traditional volunteering and the economics of bushfire.

After the Black Saturday bushfires in 2009, Prof Handmer led the research that investigated the human behaviour and community safety elements of the fires and described his experience in post-fire research to The Australian as increasingly confronting.

“It’s got more confronting over the years because I feel, sometimes, we should have learnt better,” said Prof Handmer.

Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC CEO Dr Richard Thornton congratulated Prof Handmer on the accolade of being named top researcher.

“The recognition as research leader in the field of emergency management is fitting, as his expertise has contributed significantly to the emergency management sector for a long time. Emergency management agencies across the country have benefited from his knowledge and insights, as have many researchers who have worked with him. Congratulations John,” said Dr Thornton.

The full article on Prof Handmer is available within The Australian’s magazine Research, and available at: https://specialreports.theaustralian.com.au/p5831758/