PhD research from Natural Hazards Research Australia was highlighted in September 2023’s Hazardous Webinar.
Held on 26 September, postgraduate research scholars Rebecca Ryan (University of Wollongong), Fadia Isaac (Federation University) and Cameron Atkinson (University of Tasmania) each explained their PhD research, progress so far, how their findings could be used and answered audience questions.
Replay the webinar below or visit the event page to see the slides. You can also learn more about Rebecca, Fadia and Cameron’s research on uncovering fire history, helping people sleep better after a bushfire and resilient critical infrastructure below.
The Hazardous Webinar series will resume in 2024.
Rebecca Ryan, University of Wollongong, Developing novel geochemical and spectroscopic techniques to extend the existing bushfire record
As fire regimes continue to alter in the face of climate change, there is an urgent need to develop new tools to extend our existing fire record to improve our understanding of the evolution of fire characteristics. Rebecca’s research is using FTIR spectroscopy and geochemical changes in the sediment record to determine how fire characteristics such as frequency, severity and intensity have changed throughout the recent past. These techniques aim to reconstruct a fire history for the Blue Mountains (NSW) and Namadgi National Park (ACT).
Fadia Isaac, Federation University, Online cognitive-behaviour intervention for treatment of insomnia and nightmares in bushfire survivors
Bushfires are traumatic experiences – for both those who are impacted and emergency responders – and can drastically affect how people sleep for many years afterwards. Fadia’s PhD research has developed a treatment for these sleep disturbances including insomnia, nightmares or trauma symptoms. Fadia is currently conducting an online trial, which can be completed in a participants’ own home, allowing increased self-governance for mental health and sleep patterns. Early results are promising but more participants are required throughout 2023.
Cameron Atkinson, University of Tasmania, Creating resilient and sustainable critical infrastructure using evidence informed policy
Cameron’s PhD research is investigating governance settings, resilience and sustainability, and policy problems in the water, energy, and transport sectors. His findings will highlight the independencies between and across each sector, as well as increase the understanding of the complex relationships that exists between and across critical infrastructures.