Three thought-provoking and innovative entries have been selected as finalists for the 2023 Disaster Challenge.
The Disaster Challenge is a national callout to early career researchers, postgraduate and undergraduate students to encourage new ideas, new thinking and new research that addresses some of the country’s most urgent and wicked natural hazard questions.
Now in its second year, 2023’s Disaster Challenge pitched the wicked problem: ‘In the midst of disruption, chaos and calamity, how can resources from across society be accessed and connected in new and innovative ways to improve disaster response and link those who have the resources and supports with those that are most in need?’
Meet the three entries whose solutions have been selected to progress to the Disaster Challenge Final:
- Empowering youth-led engagement in community resilience – Lydia Wardale
- Flood vulnerability index for Brisbane City – Dr Catherine Kim (Queensland University of Technology), Kaitlyn Brown (Queensland University of Technology), Dr Richard Cottrell (University of Tasmania/University of Queensland), Dr Aiden Price (Queensland University of Technology), Tace Stewart (Queensland University of Technology) and Dr Kate Saunders (Monash University/Queensland University of Technology)
- Climate Day: disaster preparedness in high schools – Maya Walton, Chloe O’Brien, Kathy Tran, Kiefer O’Brien and Edbert Young (University of Technology Sydney)
With many thought-provoking submissions received, these three stood out to the judging panel for their innovation, adaptability, affordability and scalability. The judging panel was so impressed with the quality of entries that four entries have received commendations.
A bit more about the finalists
Empowering youth-led engagement in community resilience – Lydia Wardale
This concept will foster social cohesion and strengthen community-based resilience with a pitch to establish a youth-led engagement program for young Australians aged 13-17. The proposed program would provide youths with disaster education in the form of knowledge and practical skills and strengthen their understanding of the disaster risks within their community.
Flood vulnerability index for Brisbane city – Dr Catherine Kim (Queensland University of Technology), Kaitlyn Brown (Queensland University of Technology), Dr Richard Cottrell (University of Tasmania/University of Queensland), Dr Aiden Price (Queensland University of Technology), Tace Stewart (Queensland University of Technology) and Dr Kate Saunders (Monash University/Queensland University of Technology)
This idea is for a Flood Vulnerability Index for Brisbane City to predict flood vulnerability at each level 2 statistical area. The proposed solution applies a data science approach to utilise the valuable spatial data sets readily available by councils, with the aim of increasing the public’s awareness of flooding impacts beyond inundation.
Climate Day: disaster preparedness in high schools – Maya Walton, Chloe O’Brien, Kathy Tran, Kiefer O’Brien and Edbert Young (University of Technology Sydney)
This concept is for a disaster preparedness education initiative for high schools and aimed at students in years 10-12 called Climate Day. Climate Day would build community resilience and emergency preparedness through immersive education experiences, reducing young people’s climate anxiety as a result.
Commended entries
- Measuring difficulty of following preparation advice – Amanda Muller (University of Adelaide)
- Critical infrastructure interdependencies model – Bawantha Rathnayaka (RMIT University)
- Zoned community-led response – Ryan Pratt, Lauren Ghosen, Sonia Giga, Cameron Brown and Jada Subasinghe (University of Technology Sydney)
- Energy Ark mobile energy solution – Louise Broeng (Macquarie University) and Sara Mills (Fire and Rescue NSW)
What’s next?
The three finalist teams will now receive mentoring and other support from Natural Hazards Research Australia and its working group of Victorian universities and emergency management organisations to take their idea to the next level.
All three final concepts will be showcased at the Disaster Challenge Final in Melbourne on 12 October, taking place on the eve of the UN International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction.
The Disaster Challenge Final will be a public event, so sign up to our newsletter or keep your eyes peeled on the Natural Hazards Research Australia social media platforms for more information about registration.