PhD science for New Zealand priorities

New PhD student Kate Akers has begun her PhD in partnership with Fire and Emergency New Zealand and Massey University. 

Kate is researching the challenges for specific communities or populations in accessing and understanding information during an emergency. Her project, Understanding the need for, availability of, and interpretation of information by the public during large scale hazard events, will assess the relationship that people have with natural hazards in their region by conducting a range of risk perception surveys. 

A key outcome of Kate’s research will be new education approaches and materials and a web portal, which will feature social media and mobile device integration that communicates the public’s needs and expectation for information. 

“Kate’s research will help Fire and Emergency New Zealand with their science priorities, and we are looking forward to Kate being part of the CRC network,” CRC Research Director Dr John Bates said. 

This scholarship will provide Fire and Emergency New Zealand with added knowledge about emergency information and communication. 

The CRC’s PhD program supports students to deliver a research base that enhances emergency services and agencies.