This project aims to understand how multi-hazard public information and warning platforms contribute to public safety within a broader risk communication framework, seeking to explore future communication innovations and capabilities. The research will focus on usability, comprehension, and accessibility for all communities – including those from all generations, culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, people with disability and those from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
This project is currently open for Expressions of Interest.
Project teams responding to this call for Expressions of Interest (see PDF in top-right corner) are required to submit their response using the Centre’s current EOI submission form.
EOI proposals are due by 11 December 2024 to research@naturalhazards.com.au.
An online webinar on 19 November 2024 provided a more detailed briefing of the project and the opportunity for interested parties to pose specific questions. Watch the recording below.
Downloadables
Project details
This project is based on a concept developed by the AFAC National Public Information and Warnings Group. This Group is the custodian of national public information and warnings doctrine, including the Australian Warning System, and provides leadership, strategic direction and governance for continuous improvement in risk communication systems.
The project will explore current and changing perceptions and usage of multi-hazard public information and warning platforms amongst Australian communities. The research will focus on usability, comprehension, and accessibility for all communities – including all generations, people with culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, people with disabilities and those from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
The project will include: 1) a systematic analysis of the current state of multi-hazard public information and warning platforms knowledge and practice, 2) empirical research to examine the usability, comprehension, and accessibility of these platforms for all communities, and 3) publication and translation of research findings leading to their implementation.
The findings of this study will support the strategic direction of developing a national all-hazard emergency warning app, as recommended by the Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements in 2020.
More widely, it will build a deeper understanding of community expectations and multi-hazard communication and warning needs, helping to frame future communication of hazard risks and warning information, and the future use and development of multi-hazard public information and warning platforms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q) Are the word limits in the submission form a guideline?
A) Each question in the submission form has a required word limit. Submissions with statements exceeding the word limit will be deemed non-compliant.
Q) What do you mean by “Total cumulative FTE contribution over the life of the project"?
A) This means the total FTE per person over the life of the project. Maximum total FTE for each person is 1.0. Cumulative is to add up all the personnel.
For example:
- If someone is contributing 1 FTE per year for three years, then their FTE is 1.000 FTE
- If someone is contributing 0.1 FTE per year for three years, then their FTE is 0.100 FTE
- If someone is contributing 0.05 FTE for two years of a three year project, then their FTE 0.033 FTE
- If someone is contributing 0.5 for two years and 0.1 for 1 years of a three year project, then their FTE is 0.367 FTE
Q) Can the Centre connect interested parties with other agencies or organisations involved in developing this project, to discuss it further and assist in developing an EOI submission?
A) While an EOI is open for submissions, the Centre procurement processes don't allow Centre staff to connect interested parties, as this can cause conflicts of interest. However, interested parties are able to contact whomever they wish, excluding those organisations listed on the EOI, to discuss the project and explore opportunities for collaboration or potential consortium submissions. If an online project briefing has been organised for an EOI, we encourage interested parties to attend the briefing to ask questions and meet other interested parties.
Q) Can interested parties contact the Centre with questions about the project design before submitting?
A) While an EOI is open for submissions, Centre procurement processes don't allow Centre staff to share knowledge of the project design directly with interested parties. However, if you have questions, you can email research@naturalhazards.com.au and you will receive a timely response if appropriate, according to our procurement processes.
Q) Is there a preference for a project team to be from a single research organisation, or from across multiple organisations?
A) The Centre has no preference for either a single organisation or a multi-organisation project team. EOIs will be accepted from either and will be evaluated against the evaluation criteria in the same way
Q) Can the proposed project team include researchers from government agencies or research consultancies, as well as university-based researchers?
A) EOIs will be accepted from multi-organisation project teams, and project teams can include researchers at government agencies and research consultancies. The proposed project team's capacity to undertake the project will be evaluated in the same way whether researchers are university-, consultancy- or agency-based.
Q) Would academic salaries (excluding administrative overheads) be eligible to budget?
A) Yes, academic salaries can be included within the project budget, but only when they are direct project costs and their salary is not already covered elsewhere. E.g. the salary costs of a contract researcher who is actively working on the project can be included up to the FTE component they are contributing. However, the salary costs of a tenured academic who is already paid through the university/research organisation would be included as an in-kind contribution up to the amount of their FTE contribution to the project.
Q) At what rate can salary on-costs be charged?
A) Administrative overheads are limited to direct salary-related on-costs. Indirect cost recoveries are not to be included. Other administrative overheads and indirect costs can be included as in-kind contributions. Where the salary on-cost rate exceeds 28% this will need to be justified.
Q) Can equipment costs be included in the budget?
A) Ordinarily, project funds are not to be used to purchase equipment. Where funds for equipment are requested, they will need to be justified.
Q) Can international research teams apply? Alternatively, can international research teams be part of a consortium bid?
A) International research teams can be part of research projects when they are part of a consortium submission that is led by an Australian research organisation. The international team would need to be subcontracted by the lead Australian based research organisation. Please note that all budget submissions must be in Australian dollars and the lead organisation must bear the cost of funds transfer and responsibility for due diligence as required under Australian Foreign Interference regulations.
Q) Who will own the platform or whose platforms will be used?
A) Different agencies have control of the various platforms depending on the different jurisdictions. This project will aim to shape consistency.
Q) What is the breakdown of the timeline of the project?
A) 2 years for research project delivery (systematic analysis and empirical research), then 6 months for publication and translation. (see figure 1)
Figure 1: What will the project do?
Q) Who makes up the project steering committee and working group?
A) The AFAC Public Information and Warnings (‘Warnings’) group will be a key advisory group. The project will have a smaller project management committee (PMC) that will have representatives from that group on it. The PMC will be the main project governing group. The Warnings group will definitely be a key advisory body to the group. The Warnings group also has a research, policy and doctrine working group that will be the main conduit to the Warnings group.
Q) Are you open to a shorter, sharper consulting style project?
A) There is not a defined style of the project. NHRA selection criteria will focus mostly on the needs of the project being met. Looking for the applicants to define their style when they outline how the outputs will be delivered.
Q) When does the project start?
A) The selected provider will be notified in January 2025, allowing for the project to begin around February 2025.
Q) Given it is one lead organisation for contract purposes, are multi-organisation EOIs possible?
A) Yes, multi-organisation or consortium submissions are welcomed. We ask that consortiums nominate one organisation to be the lead contract. That organisation can then subcontract to other consortium partners.
Q) Does the Centre always partner with universities or have there been instances of partnerships with other types of organisations?
A) The Centre has contracted research consultancies before. We do have academic publications included as key project outputs, and we are looking for a high standard of research. If a consultancy was to undertake this project, it would need to be a research consultancy with good research capability. We are looking for good quality, rigorous research.
Q) How strict is the timeline?
A) The due date for submitting EOIs is immovable. The due date for co-development of the project plan can be more flexible considering that engaging with stakeholders may be difficult across the January/February period.
Q) Are there some cohorts that would be focused on in particular considering usability in the community?
A) The aim is to engage all groups; however, particular attention may be given to cohorts such as culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities, those in regional and remote areas, youth, seniors, First Nations people, individuals with varying risk levels, and understanding their current preferences for accessing information.
Q) Would the Centre consider a proposal that leads to the development of a new platform, given the wording in the EOI is centred on research into, and analysis of, existing platforms?
A) This project is very much about examining usability, comprehension and accessibility of the multi-hazard public information and warning platforms that are managed by emergency management and weather agencies. We are not looking to develop a new platform in this project.
Q) Can you provide more information about the national knowledge sharing forum to assist with budgeting for this aspect of the project?
A) The exact format, nature, and resourcing of this forum will be determined during initial project planning. For EOI budgeting purposes, at this stage please assume this to be a full day (or two half-days), online only event.
