More than 300 representatives from research, industry, government and the community sector were challenged to think big to meet Australia’s future disaster challenges at the third annual Natural Hazards Research Forum this May.
The Forum, hosted by Natural Hazards Research Australia (the Centre) from 14–16 May in Adelaide, aimed to Provoke, Inspire, Challenge, Be Involved by focusing on research utilisation, collaboration and transformative thinking backed by research.
Attendees came from all states and territories. One third of attendees were Centre researchers, another third were from our local, state and Commonwealth government and agency Centre Participants, with the remaining third from related emergency management, industry and not-for-profit organisations, ensuring diversity of people, experiences and ideas. The first day of the Forum was streamed live.
Centre CEO, Andrew Gissing believes events like the annual Forum are crucial in encouraging the natural hazards and associated sectors to think big to meet our current and future challenges.
“Through events such as NHRF24, we can better communicate and translate research for impact to build safe, resilient and sustainable communities,” Mr Gissing said.
The event launched the Centre’s Be Ahead of Ready initiative to the sector, leading to lively discussion, debate and sharing of ideas and outcomes amongst delegates and speakers during and outside sessions, as well as setting the tone of big, bold, future thinking for the Forum.
“We know what's coming, but we have to Be Ahead of Ready to ensure we have the capacity and capability to face what’s to come.”
Following a smoking ceremony and welcome to Country by Kuarna man Cliffy Wilson, Mr Lee Odenwalder MP, Member for Elizabeth, opened the Forum on behalf of the South Australian Government.
Brendan Moon, Coordinator-General for Emergency Management, National Emergency Management Agency provided the opening keynote address with a thought-provoking presentation on Changes, challenges, choices. Keynote addresses took place across the three days of the NHRF24 program, including:
- Dr Sue Keay, Partner and Director FutureWork Group – AI, robotics and emergency management;
- Prof Andy Koronios, CEO and Managing Director SmartSat CRC – Beyond the stratosphere: the role of space technologies in natural hazard management;
- Dr Justin Fidock, Program Leader National Security, Defence Science and Technology Group Australian Department of Defence - Large language models and trusted autonomous systems for community resilience and safety;
- Brett Loughlin, Chief Officer South Australian Country Fire Service – Big thinking: innovation in our sector, or smaller thinking that could make a difference;
- Dr Sally Potter, Senior Social Scientist GNS Science New Zealand – Personalised warnings for future natural hazards; and
- Prof Barbara Norman, chair Urban Policy Forum advising the Australian Government University of Canberra – Future urban planning policy in a natural hazards context.
To create a visual representation of the themes and big ideas of the Forum, a graphic recorder captured the action of many sessions. The full recording suite can be found here and below.
Delegates heard 75 keynote and research presentations around the themes big thinking; risk informed decision making; situational awareness; resilient communities and Country; early- and mid-career researchers; workforce; and resilient built environments. First day plenary proceedings, all presentation slides and posters are available here.
These presentations were followed by panel and workshop sessions, providing an opportunity for greater exploration of the themes, with expert and industry panels providing additional in-depth perspectives and conversations to equip delegates to implement research-backed practices in their fields of work.
The impact of natural hazards on First Nations communities and approaches to enabling stronger Indigenous-led research were highlighted throughout the program and a pre-Forum roundtable. The session helped build connections between the Centre’s First Nations-focused project teams, as well as exploring the development of a First Nations strategy that will articulate how the Centre will continue to work with First Nations communities to mitigate impacts of natural hazards, the greater inclusion of First Nations people in decision making and support opportunities for Indigenous-led research.
The Forum was also an important opportunity to bring the Centre’s postgraduate and early career researchers together, with the launch of the Early- and Mid- Career Academic and Practitioner Network, as well as a pre-Forum half-day workshop that focused on networking, links to industry and highlighting the pathways from researcher to practice.
Her Excellency, the Honourable Frances Adamson AC, Governor of South Australia closed the Forum with a call-to-action to think big and innovate.
”When disaster strikes we are all affected and need dynamic information – found in places like the Natural Hazards Research Forum – to respond to the growing intensity of natural hazards. From cities to local communities, we must learn from experience as much as from experts,” Governor Adamson said.
In his closing remarks, Mr Gissing stressed that while big, bold thinking is needed to meet the future needs of Australia’s natural hazards landscape, the path will not be easy.
“I encourage you all to be brave. To take the learnings and discussions from this week to your organisations, researchers, practitioners and leaders,” Mr Gissing said.
“This week I’ve seen different groups of researchers, Participants and practitioners all together talking about research, talking about problems, talking about solutions into the future.
“I’m encouraged by the Be Ahead Ready conversations in around the Forum, getting us all thinking about the future. We've heard some really lively debate at times, but these discussions have already added to the pool of ideas that could transform emergency management and resilience in the future.
“I’m blown away by the passion and energy in the room. If we encourage each other to take this energy back into our own workplaces, in our own context, we can share this passion to bring about safer, more sustainable and resourced communities,” Mr Gissing said.
Attendee highlights included:
- Networking – there was a buzz between sessions and at social events with connections made and relationships strengthened, as well as continuing the conversations from sessions. The executive breakfast with Dr Sally Potter and external events, such as breakfasts hosted by the Australasian Women in Emergency Network and Fire to Flourish, provided opportunities to connect with people with similar interests. “The views I heard opened my mind to the work that is needed to make a collaborative, supportive network of everyone involved in emergency management,” Attendee.
- Challenge – delegates noted the candid discussion of big ideas, obstacles and points-of-view pushed them to explore differing themes and viewpoints. “The conversation about how to bring the sector along in future discussions about AI and tech, as well as the need to provide more balance perhaps with social innovation commentary and perspectives was fascinating and challenging,” Attendee.
- Content quality – presenters did an excellent job in synthesising their research and practice. “The presos were just right and the audience were engaged from the first word,” Attendee.
First day plenary sessions, presentations and posters can be downloaded here.
The next Natural Hazards Research Forum will be held in 2025.
Andrew Gissing, the Centre CEO, recaps NHRF24:
Robb Webb on the value of NHRF24:
Dr Sally Potter on personalised warnings:
Watch the day 1 plenary recording: