You are here
Supervisors:
Dr. Aaron Zecchin (aaron.zecchin.adelaide.edu.au), Prof. Holger Maier (holger.maier@adelaide.edu.au), A/Prof. Hedwig van Delden (hvdelden@riks.nl)Institution: The University of Adelaide, School of Civil, Environmental and Mining Engineering
Disaster mitigation planning is characterised by the need to make decisions in an increasingly complex environment. This complexity comes in the form of the myriad options available for resource allocation, the lack of clearly-defined and measurable criteria with which to assess the utility of decisions, and the uncertainty embedded in current information available, data and future conditions of the system within which the planning is to be implemented.
Prudent usage of the limited available capital for mitigation means that resources need to be allocated in an “optimal” sense to achieve a maximum benefit or utility. However, with regard to risk mitigation, not only is it difficult to define utility criteria (i.e. criteria could be framed in economic, social, or environmental terms), but, as outlined above, the evaluation of these criteria is based on information about which there is great uncertainty. The existence of this uncertainty means that mitigation plans need to be “robust”, meaning that the plans need to perform adequately for the range of uncertain conditions (e.g. climate change and variability). This project will look at the exploration and development of optimal and robust decision making for disaster mitigation in uncertain conditions.
The research work will be undertaken within an international project team comprised of both researchers and industry partners. The PhD will be part of the “Decision Support System for Assessment of Policy & Planning Investment Options for Optimal Natural Hazard Mitigation” project, which will enable the work to be applied to real case studies.
Bushfire & Natural Hazard CRC Scholarship Application Kit
You are welcome to submit enquiries using the form on this page. However, you must complete this form to make an application.
Postgraduate Scholarships Application Process
Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC postgraduate scholarships are available for students pursuing research higher degrees in the bushfire research fields, in line with Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC projects.
Both Full and Top Up scholarships and project support funding are available for outstanding students, with preference given to the provision of top up scholarships.
Current funding amounts are:
- Full Scholarships of up to $28,000 per annum for three and a half years.
- Top Up scholarships of $10,000 per annum for three and a half years to holders of Australian Postgraduate Awards (APA) and University Research Scholarships.