Prof Deborah Bunker’s contribution to Natural Hazards Research Australia (the Centre) as its inaugural Chief Science Officer ensured the research program maintained its high quality and relevance.
CEO Andrew Gissing said Prof Bunker, who originally commenced with the Centre on a 12-month secondment, finishes this week after almost two years in the role, was a great asset to the team.
“It was a great privilege for us to have Deborah at the Centre. With her experience and insights into our sector, she ensured our research was useful, of high quality and targeted to make a difference to communities,” Andrew said.
Deborah’s main achievements have been providing advice on the Centre’s research strategy and its delivery, establishing the International Research Advisory Panel and Early and Mid-Career Research and Practitioner Network, as well as progressing the development of the Centre’s research data catalogue, First Nation’s scholarship and research evaluation framework.
“Working together with the dedicated Centre leadership team, Board, staff and stakeholders to develop, support and implement research that improves our resilience to natural hazard impacts, has been an amazing and rewarding experience,” Deborah said.
Deborah joined the Centre from the University of Sydney where she is an Emeritus Professor of Systems and Information, with a distinguished research career in the application of information and communication systems to crisis and disaster response and recovery.
The Chief Science Officer position has been replaced by the newly created position of Science and Innovation Director, with Prof Cheryl Desha from Griffith University starting next week.
The Centre wishes Deborah all the best as she moves back into academic life.