COMMUNICATING AND SHARING DURING ENVIRONMENTAL DISASTERS
Sue Atkinson
COMMUNICATING AND SHARING DURING ENVIRONMENTAL DISASTERS
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I am a strategic communication consultant and PhD candidate at the News & Media Research Centre at the University of Canberra, Australia. I am also an associate researcher and scholarship recipient with Natural Hazards Research Australia. My current research project is focused on understanding people's communication needs and behaviours in natural disaster contexts and how community communication ecologies spontaneously form to support community responses.
![UC-Logo_N&MRC_Inline_Colour_RGB[74].png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b17796_199ac39028274272840604f2f3900fc3~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_600,h_67,al_c,q_85,enc_avif,quality_auto/b17796_199ac39028274272840604f2f3900fc3~mv2.png)
A LITTLE ABOUT ME
I was born and raised in Canberra (unusual I know) before heading off to other places such as Melbourne to do my first degree and to Japan to work and study. I was an Australian Federal public servant for 25 + years working across diverse subject matter such as international relations, law enforcement, refugees and resettlement. I lived in Japan on and off for 9 years and speak Japanese fluently. Since 2015 I have been working as a strategic design consultant in Canberra and Japan while studying and researching at the University of Canberra.
My Projects
My PhD
August 2025
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I am currently in the final phase of my PhD research, focusing on disaster communication and the role of information intermediaries within community networks. My thesis employs constructionist grounded theory methods to examine how communities create sophisticated personal communication systems during natural disasters, exploring technology integration, trust network development, and the emergence of key information intermediaries who bridge technological gaps and connect official and unofficial sources.
Having completed my data collection and analysis phases, I am now at the pointy end of the writing process and working toward submitting by the end of this year. The research has revealed fascinating insights into how communities construct meaning and coordinate action during crises, moving beyond traditional transmission models to understand the social processes that underpin effective community resilience. This final stretch involves synthesising my findings into a cohesive theoretical contribution bridging disaster studies and communication theory.
ACT Disaster Resilience Policy & Research Forum 2025
August 2025
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In August 2025, I organised the inaugural ACT Disaster Resilience Policy and Research Forum, bringing together over 65 researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and community organisations. Co-hosted with the ACT Government and UC's Centre for Environmental Governance, this first-of-its-kind cross-sector collaboration supported implementation of the ACT Disaster Resilience Strategy 2024-2030.
The forum featured distinguished speakers including Vice-Chancellor Bill Shorten, followed by workshop sessions designed around my research philosophy that disaster resilience should build on community strengths rather than vulnerabilities. I presented my PhD research on "information intermediaries" and challenged participants with provocative questions like "What if the emergency management sector's biggest asset isn't more resources, but better recognition of what communities already do?"
With 92% of participants saying the forum met or exceeded expectations, the workshops generated concrete research-policy partnerships and new collaborations now being pursued through funding applications. The success has established this as an annual platform, with the next forum planned for 2026-27.
IAMCR 2025
July 2025
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I recently presented my PhD research at the International Association of Media and Communication Researchers (IAMCR) conference in Singapore, where I introduced my concept of "information intermediaries" to the international communication studies community. My presentation revealed how certain individuals naturally emerge as crucial bridges between official emergency communication and local community needs during Australian bushfires and floods.
The response was incredibly encouraging. The panel chair invited me to contribute to a journal special edition, and I had productive discussions with an academic publisher about developing both scholarly and industry-focused publications. Attending alongside seven colleagues from the News and Media Research Centre created valuable opportunities for mutual support and collaboration.
This presentation marked an important milestone in establishing "information intermediaries" as a recognized concept in disaster communication research. The international engagement confirmed its relevance beyond Australia and highlighted its potential contributions to both academic understanding and practical emergency management. I look forward to presenting the industry applications at AFAC in Perth this August.
I'm always eager to connect with fellow researchers working on topics similar to mine, particularly in the areas of improving community communication capabilities. If you're engaged in related research or have overlapping interests, I'd be delighted to discuss your work and explore potential collaboration opportunities. Please don't hesitate to reach out – sharing ideas and perspectives can often lead to valuable insights and partnerships. Feel free to contact me to arrange a conversation about our research interests and how we might support each other's work.
CONTACT ME
News & Media Research Centre
University of Canberra
Building 9, Level C, Room 10
11 Kirinari Street
Bruce ACT 2617