Science galore – key CRC event dates

Website launches, workshops, conferences and forums – despite these challenging times there are plenty of CRC events coming up in the next few months.

A mix of online and in person events are planned to highlight key research findings so that end-user partners can implement these outputs to improve their vital work of keeping Australians safe from natural hazards. Here are some key dates for your diary.

Many of these events have been rescheduled due to COVID-19 or will now take place online. Where a physical event is scheduled, all government advice on gatherings and social distancing will be adhered to.

Northern Australia Fire Managers Forum – 7 July, online

Taking place via video conference this year, the Northern Australia Fire Managers Forum is the key forum for fire and land managers from Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory to discuss topical issues, hosted by the CRC. This will be a scaled-down meeting compared to previous years with the intention of holding a broader ranging event later this year.

Prescribed Burning Atlas – 14 July, online

A new website will provide fire and land managers with insights into the effectiveness of prescribed burning. Developed specifically for this key user group, the Prescribed Burning Atlas will be launched in a webinar on Tuesday 14 July at 11am AEST.

Backed by five years of CRC research headed by Prof Ross Bradstock at the University of Wollongong, the Atlas has the ability to compare the risk reduction from different types of prescribed burning techniques, such as smaller burns close to homes, and larger more remote burns. With 13 different study areas across New South Wales, Victoria, the ACT, Tasmania, South Australia and Queensland comprising the urban interface, remote bushland, arid grassland and sub-tropical bush, the Atlas can not only compare the costs of different mitigation options and their effect on reducing the likelihood of life loss, property loss and environmental values, it also has the ability to compare the effects of climate change on prescribed burning effectiveness. 

The Prescribed Burning Atlas will be launched by Naomi Stephens, CRC Director, and Acting Executive Director Park Operations, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service. It is an outcome of the From hectares to tailor made solutions project. Register and get more details at the event page.

Australian Disaster Resilience Index – 29 July, online

How adaptable to natural hazards are we, and how can we prepare better prepare for, absorb and respond to natural hazards? Six years in the making, the CRC’s Australian Disaster Resilience Index is a comprehensive assessment of the level of disaster resilience across Australia, focusing on ways that resilience can be improved to future natural hazards, rather than reacting to natural hazards as they happen.

The Australian Disaster Resilience Index will be launched via a webinar on Wednesday 29 July at 11am AEST. The Index development has been led by Dr Melissa Parsons and her team at the University of New England, with the online resource a must use tool for those working in policy development, community engagement, recovery planning, risk assessment, urban planning other crucial processes that contribute to a more disaster-resistant Australia.

By better understanding disaster resilience, communities, governments and industry can work together to improve resilience and better prepare for, absorb and respond to natural hazards.

More details, including how to register, will be available soon.

Australian Disaster and Emergency Management Conference – 1-2 October, Gold Coast

Now taking place on 1-2 October 2020 on the Gold Coast, the Australian Disaster and Emergency Management Conference features CRC research throughout the program. Dr Blythe McLennan (RMIT University) is presenting a keynote talk on attracting and retaining youth volunteers. Additional research talks include Research Director Dr John Bates on using research to prepare for future extreme hazards, A/Prof Dominque Greer (Queensland University of Technology) on improving emergency warning messages to the community, PhD researcher Mayeda Rashid (CQ University) on child-centred disaster risk reduction, Con Charalamlou (Geoscience Australia) on the Australian Exposure Information Database and its use during the 2019/20 bushfire season, and associate PhD researcher Mitchell Scovell (James Cook University) on what psychology tells us about preparing for cyclones.

The conference will comply with all government advice on gatherings and social distancing. The earlybird registration rate is still available at https://anzdmc.com.au/

Emergency Management Conference Victoria – 6-7 October, Melbourne

A dedicated CRC research stream has just been added to the Emergency Management Conference, which is taking place in Melbourne on 6-7 October. Speakers and topics for this stream will be announced soon.

The conference will comply with all government advice on gatherings and social distancing. Register at https://hpe.com.au/emcmelbourne/

International Day for Disaster Reduction – 13 October

The CRC will hold an event to acknowledge the United Nations International Day for Disaster Reduction on 13 October. A location (physical event or online), and an expert panel will be advised closer to the date. Themes for this day change each year and are based on the Sendai Seven Campaign – 7 Targets, 7 Years.

Watch a video recapping the 2019 forum here, the 2018 forum here and the 2017 forum here.

But wait, there’s more science to show

Additionally, there are further events planned, with dates to be firmed up soon. Keep your eyes on the CRC website, social media and your inboxes for further information.

Laurie Hammond Oration

Australia’s Chief Scientist, Dr Alan Finkel, will give 2020’s Laurie Hammond Oration. Originally scheduled to take place as part of AFAC20 powered by INTERSCHUTZ in Adelaide on 25 August, the CRC is working with the Office of the Chief Scientist to lock in a new date and venue for this important talk.

The Laurie Hammond Oration is held in honour of the CRC’s former Chair, the late Dr Laurie Hammond. It was first held in 2019.

French-Australia connections

The CRC is working closing with the French Embassy in Australia and the Group of Eight university organisation on a France-Australia bushfire researcher workshop in mid-September. More details to come.