Project update - Hazards, culture and Indigenous communities

This is the February 2018 newsletter from the Hazards, culture and Indigenous communities project, with updates for project end-users.

Recruitment: In November, Dr Will Smith was recruited as Principal Investigator at Deakin University, with his appointment beginning in February 2018.  

Case studies: Tim Neale and Jessica Weir have continued to meet with traditional owners and relevant natural hazard practitioners in Victoria and ACT/NSW. Tim Neale has concluded his first round of data collection with Dja Dja Wurrrung CAC, DELWP, ParksVic and others. Jessica Weir has been conducting meetings and organising interviews for two specific areas – Jerrabomberra wetlands (ACT) and on Local Aboriginal Land Council land near Yass (NSW).

Literature review: The literature review will soon be submitted for peer review and publication.

What’s next? At Deakin, Will Smith will begin his appointment, with his two main research activities being the practitioner interviews and the socio-institutional mapping, amongst other responsibilities. Jessica will finalise the first round of data collection for the ACT/NSW case study.