Natural Hazards Research Australia (the Centre) is pleased to announce Prof Deborah Bunker as its inaugural Chief Science Officer.
Prof Bunker joins the Centre from the University of Sydney where she was a professor of systems and information, with a distinguished career in disaster management, climate and information management research and the use of social media for crisis response.
CEO Andrew Gissing welcomes Prof Bunker to the team.
“It is a great privilege for us to have Deb joining the Centre. With her experience and insights into our sector, we look forward to her working with our partners to ensure our research will be useful, of high quality and targeted to make a difference for communities,” Andrew said.
Prof Bunker says she is excited to be on board in a role that supports collaboration across the natural hazard sector.
“Practitioners, the community and researchers are able to combine their experiences and knowledge to develop and implement powerful solutions to what seem like intractable problems.”
“I see this role as critical to the support and facilitation of this unified effort,” Prof Bunker said.
The Chief Science Officer position is a critical new leadership position, selected by the Centre’s Board to drive the future research direction, portfolio and programs.
Prof Bunker commenced with the Centre on 12 September and is based at the Centre’s Sydney node. She will work closely with the executive leadership team, Centre staff and research partners to help develop research that meets the needs of partners and communities.
The Centre was funded for 10 years by the Australian Government on 1 July 2021 as a collaborative research organisation, to address the major challenges arising from natural hazards, including bushfires, floods, cyclones, heatwaves and storms. The Centre’s mission is to deliver usable research and knowledge that creates safer and more resilient communities.
MEDIA ENQUIRIES – contact Nathan Maddock at Natural Hazards Research Australia – 0410 998 600 or nathan.maddock@naturalhazards.com.au