Portugal conference and end of 2014

During November I spent a week in Portugal at the 7th International Conference on Forest Fire Research in Coimbra. This is one of the preeminent scientific conferences in fire research and is held every four years. It provided a great chance to see what the top issues are that are being considered across the globe. It also provides an excellent opportunity to re-enliven friendships and contacts as well as seek collaboration opportunities. I was given the opportunity to give the opening keynote address to this conference; an honour indeed.

There were around 15 other Australians at the conference, and the BNHCRC worked with the Australian Embassy in Portugal to hold an official function for the Australians and key international players to help build collaborative links. This reception was attended by the Australian Ambassador for Portugal. During this reception the BNHCRC signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the University of Coimbra, to cover possible PhD exchange and knowledge sharing.

It was a great conference, and highlighted some key gaps in Australia’s research capability, which were then raised and possible solutions discussed at the BNHCRC’s last Board meeting in December.

As 2014 comes to an end it is worth acknowledging all that has happened and the successes we have had since our official launch this time last year. This does not just happen and it is through the tireless work of the whole CRC: the Office Staff and Board, the end-users, and the researchers without any one of you we would not have managed as much. So a big thank you to all.

I wish you all a very happy and safe (and hopefully uneventful) Christmas period and New Year, and look forward to working with you all next year.