Calling all early career researchers, postgraduate and undergraduate students – what can you bring to disaster management in Australia?
Natural Hazards Research Australia is thrilled to announce that the Disaster Challenge is back for 2023 with a brand new wicked problem to encourage new ideas, new thinking and new research. This year, the Challenge is also open to undergraduate students.
With a national final and prizes, what innovation can you and your team bring that Australia hasn’t done yet?
The wicked problem
When disaster strikes everyone is affected and normal systems can fail. Responding involves the efforts of many different groups in society, all with their own processes and ways of working. This includes people who are directly and indirectly impacted, emergency services, community groups, all levels and sectors of government, not-for-profits, and private businesses large and small. All have resources that can help, yet in times of disruption, chaos and calamity, systems can be overwhelmed, and we can struggle to access and connect these resources together. At the same time, people’s needs during disasters are diverse and not everyone’s needs are equally met. This means that getting the right support to the right people at the right time is complex and difficult to prioritise, and grassroot community resources can be under used. With climate change this will only get harder with more frequent and intense natural hazards.
The Challenge
In the midst of disruption, chaos and calamity, how can resources from across society be accessed and connected in new and innovative ways to improve disaster response and link those who have the resources and supports with those that are most in need?
Learn more, sign up for the online briefings
Got questions? Fear not. Natural Hazards Research Australia will host online briefings on 30 March and 18 April to answer your questions about the Disaster Challenge, connect individuals with potential teammates and outline the wicked problem and what makes it wicked.
Online briefing one: Learn about the Disaster Challenge
30 March 2023, 4pm AEDT
Interested in participating but not yet sure? Keen to enter but after more specifics? Want to find others to collaborate with and form a team? Join us on 30 March if any of these questions sound like you.
Online briefing two: Why is this problem wicked?
18 April 2023, 4pm AEST
Learn more about the wicked problem and ask questions of practitioners and researchers with experience of the wicked problem to better understand it and refine your potential solutions.
Register for one or both briefings here.
The Disaster Challenge will take place in three phases:
- Enter your initial concept by 25 May: the judges will then review and select the best entries, and finalists will be notified the week of 3 July
- Bring your idea to life: academic and industry mentors will support finalists in developing their idea to the next level
- Finalists will pitch their brilliant ideas to a judging panel of disaster management experts at the Disaster Challenge Final in October 2023 for the UN International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction
Why enter the Disaster Challenge?
As an early career researcher, postgraduate or undergraduate student, this is a great opportunity to use your ideas to help change how we manage natural hazards. The judges are involved in day-to-day management of natural hazards around Australia and your ideas will help them work with communities to improve preparedness and resilience, save lives, protect property, keep people safe and recover better after disasters. Pitching your concept puts you in the running for a $5,000 cash prize and the opportunity to progress your idea further. This is an excellent opportunity to boost your credentials and advance your career, with extensive promotion of the winning concept.
For more information on eligibility, how to enter and other details, visit disasterchallenge.com.au. Read and review the Guide for Entrants for handy tips on how to get started.
The 2023 Disaster Challenge is coordinated by Natural Hazards Research Australia and is hosted with support from universities and emergency management organisations in Victoria: the Australian Red Cross, AFAC, the Country Fire Authority, the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action Victoria, Emergency Management Victoria, Fire Rescue Victoria, the Inspector-General for Emergency Management Victoria, Monash University, RMIT University, the University of Melbourne and the Yarra Ranges Council.