Research addressing critical gaps in Australia’s understanding and management of natural hazards is underway at Natural Hazards Research Australia.
The seven projects explore topics from economic valuation of intangible flood impacts to the future of multi-hazard public warning systems, firefighter health and safety and First Nations cultural knowledge.
Led by multidisciplinary teams from leading Australian universities and research organisations, these research projects will deliver practical, evidence-based outcomes to help enhance disaster resilience and risk reduction nationwide.
Understanding the intangible flood costs and impacts aims to create clear and reliable ways to include intangible damages when calculating the economic impact of floods (and possibly extended to include other natural hazards). It aims to improve damage estimates for impacts that are hard to measure, including cleaning up after a flood and damage to infrastructure such as caravan parks.
The research team comprises:
- Dr Tariq Maqsood (RMIT University)
- Prof Sujeeva Setunge (RMIT University)
- Prof Kevin Zhang (RMIT University)
- Wendy Steele (RMIT University).
Recovery Capitals – Integration will use the Community Disaster Matrix to explore levels of social disruption caused by one or more community crises over time and different levels of Disaster Recovery Capitals supporting community and sector capacity to cope with that specific level of disruption and prepare for future events.
The research team comprises:
- Prof Lisa Gibbs (The University of Melbourne)
- Prof Mehmet Ulubasoglu (Deakin University)
- Phoebe Quinn (The University of Melbourne)
- Dr Hemant Pullabhotla (Deakin University)
- Dr Umair Khalil (Deakin University)
- Dr Lan Tong (Deakin University)
- Alexandra Howard (Phoenix Australia)
- Courtney Bowd (Phoenix Australia).
Multi-hazard public information and warning platforms for the future aims to understand how multi-hazard public information and warning platforms contribute to public safety within a broader risk communication framework. It will explore future communication innovations and capabilities. The research will focus on usability, comprehension, and accessibility for all communities.
The research team comprises:
- A/Prof Paula Dootson (Queensland University of Technology)
- Prof Amisha Mehta (Queensland University of Technology)
- Prof Dominique Greer (Queensland University of Technology)
- Dr Scott Murray (Queensland University of Technology)
- Dr Erica Kuligowski (RMIT University)
- Dr Amy Griffin (RMIT University)
- Dr Rosie Morrison (RMIT University)
- Dr Gabi Mocatta (University of Tasmania)
- Dr Darryl Stellmach (University of Tasmania)
- A/Prof Jonathan Abrahams (Monash University)
- Prof John Grundy (Monash University)
- Dr Dulaki Hidellaarachchi (Monash University)
- Dr Chloe Begg (Country Fire Authority).
Managing earthquake risk: unreinforced masonry building database aims to reduce the risk posed by unreinforced masonry buildings to people during an earthquake. This project plans todevelop a national database of unreinforced masonry buildings through new technology and techniques to better understand and mitigate earthquake risk.
The research team comprises:
- Dr Hossein Derakhshan (Queensland University of Technology)
- Dr Dimity Miller (Queensland University of Technology)
- Dr Alan Woodley (Queensland University of Technology)
- A/Prof Craig O’Neill (Queensland University of Technology)
- Dr Tatheer Zahra (Queensland University of Technology)
- Prof Mark Masia (Queensland University of Technology).
Managing smoke impacts of firefighter eye surface health aims to enhance the health of first responders by investigating better ways to manage the impacts of smoke on firefighters. Research findings from this project will and recommendations and inform guidelines to manage operational eye irritation for firefighters.
The research team comprises:
- Dr Suki Jaiswal (University of New South Wales)
- Prof Isabelle Jalbert (University of New South Wales)
Strengthening energy networks to withstand severe wind and storms aims to advance industry understanding of the frequency, magnitude and nature of severe winds on energy network infrastructure. The research will develop the evidence base to inform the design and standards of energy networks to help them to withstand severe winds.
The research team comprises:
- A/Prof Matt Mason (University of Queensland)
- A/Prof Andrew Dowdy (University of Melbourne)
- Dr John Holmes (JDH Consulting)
- Stephen Oliver (Weather Solutions).
First Nations women, cultural fire knowledge, wellbeing and memory aims to develop a broader understanding of the importance of gathering and sharing cultural burning and fire knowledge that is inclusive of more than just the environmental and risk mitigation benefits, with a specific focus on the Indigenous Women’s Training Exchange annual event held in Far North Queensland.
The research team comprises:
- Dr Bhiamie Williamson (National Indigenous Disaster Resilience/Monash University)
- Nell Reidy (National Indigenous Disaster Resilience/Monash University)
- Zoe Schultz (National Indigenous Disaster Resilience/Monash University)
- Jess Walters (Monash University)
- Dr Amy Cardinal Christianson (Indigenous Leadership Initiative, Canada)
Is your organisation looking to expand their research capabilities? As part of the Centre’s ongoing research plan, project concepts are formally considered for funding twice a year. The next submission round will open on 21 July 2025.
Visit here for more information on how to submit a project idea.