Long-serving Communications Director David Bruce recently finished up at Natural Hazards Research Australia after leading communication and engagement for more than 18 years across the Centre, the Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC and the Bushfire CRC.
With a media and university background, David brought his skills to the Bushfire CRC in 2006, building and leading the communications function across all three organisations. Initially communications and media was a one person role, filled by David, but through his vision and leadership communications grew to cover event management, graphic design and science communication with a team of six.
David’s passion for communicating science helped progress the Centre, says CEO Andrew Gissing.
“David’s knowledge and skill has been a key driver in ensuring the Centre is in the position it is in today. His advice on how to communicate what can often be complex information has assisted many people throughout his time with all three organisations – from researchers leading projects, to PhD students starting out in their academic careers, to his colleagues,” Andrew said.
“All three organisations were built on their collective strength and David’s long service demonstrates his commitment to the vison of building safer, more sustainable and resilient communities. We thank David for all his efforts and wish him all the best for the future.”
Throughout his time David influenced many key activities. There are too many to mention, but some examples include:
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2009 Black Saturday research taskforce at the Bushfire CRC
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Providing a communications grounding for PhD students and helping them talk about their research
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Positioning the Centre as a go to for expert facts and knowledge for the media
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Establishing online communications channels including websites and social media
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Communicating bushfire risk with the bushfire seasonal outlooks
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Developing research connections as part of the North Australia Fire Managers Forum
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Embedding research at the annual AFAC conference
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Initiation of the Natural Hazards Research Forum
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Establishment of both the Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC and Natural Hazards Research Australia.
Working with many wonderful people on critical topics has been a highlight explained David.
“Both professionally and personally, I am thankful for my time at Natural Hazards Research Australia and the CRCs. I have been inspired by, and learnt much, from many great people within the centres, in the partner agencies and in research. It has been a privilege to communicate about topics that people really want to know about and where the subject matter is just so fascinating and important,” David said.
The Centre wishes David all the best in his new role with the International Association of Wildland Fire.