Media seek research insights

Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC research has been front and centre in the media during the bushfires over the last month, with many media outlets seeking the expertise and insights that research provides.

CEO Dr Richard Thornton and Research Director Dr John Bates have been in high demand, along with researchers Andrew Gissing (Risk Frontiers), Prof Alan March (University of Melbourne), Prof Jason Sharples (University of New South Wales), A/Prof Michael Eburn, Dr Kevin Tory (Bureau of Meteorology), Prof Ross Bradstock (University of Wollongong) and Dr Jessica Weir (Western Sydney University).

Topics covered have included extreme bushfire behaviour, the role of inquiries, prescribed burning, communications and warnings, planning and development, and how bushfires will be fought in the future.

Coverage has been extensive across TV, radio, print and online within Australia, as well as overseas. The widespread reporting of CRC research shows the high value that the media places on research in its reporting of natural hazards.

The following is not exhaustive, but outlets that have featured CRC research and researchers include: 

• ABC 7.30
• ABC TV News Breakfast 
• 7 News 
• ABC PM 
• ABC The World Today 
• ABC News Radio Drive 
• Radio National Breakfast 
• ABC News 
• 3AW Mornings with Neil Mitchell 
• Triple J Hack 
• The Sydney Morning Herald 
• The Guardian 
• The Australian (multiple times) 
• The Canberra Times

Internationally, prominent outlets such as The New York Times, The Washington Times, the BBC and The Atlantic have covered CRC science.

There has also been many science-based articles by CRC researchers in The Conversation, as well as science news website Particle. Pieces in The Conversation include Dr Briony Towers (RMIT University) on bushfire education for children, Dr Blythe McLennan (RMIT University) on the future of emergency volunteering, Andrew Gissing (Risk Frontiers) on the need for a national crisis plan and Dr Graham Dwyer on acknowledging firefighters.