COMMUNICATING AND SHARING DURING NATURAL DISASTERS
Sue Atkinson
COMMUNICATING AND SHARING DURING NATURAL DISASTERS
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.
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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 2024
The frequency and intensity of natural disasters are increasing due to climate change. The enormous impacts of natural disasters are not just physical but have long-lasting adverse impacts on individuals and communities. The composition and nature of our communities are also changing and people's experiences in responding to a natural disaster vary enormously.
It's critical that people get timely and accurate information to make - sometimes life and death - decisions - about whether they stay or go. People reach out to others in their communities to find information they need. I am working to better understand how this happens as it is critically important in natural disaster research.
Following my data collection (interviewing amazing people), I am in the analysis (what does it all mean?) and writing (how do I explain it to others?) phase for the rest of this year.
IAMCR Conference 2024
July 2024
In July, I had the privilege of presenting my initial PhD research findings at the International Association for Media and Communication Research (IAMCR) conference in New Zealand. The experience was invaluable, offering constructive feedback and the opportunity to engage with a diverse group of scholars from around the world, including Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America.
These interactions challenged me to view my research from new perspectives and consider previously unexplored angles. The conference reinforced my belief in the importance of international academic gatherings as catalysts for intellectual growth and cross-cultural exchange in the field of media and communication research.
ADRC/AFAC Conferences 2023
August 2023
In August 2023, I attended the Australasian Fire and Emergency Services (AFAC) and Australian Disaster Research Conference (ADRC), a highlight of my academic year. These conferences serve as a vital intersection for academia, community organisations, government bodies, and emergency agencies to collaborate on improving emergency responses. The event provided an excellent platform to share research, knowledge, and experiences, all aimed at enhancing outcomes for people and communities. I had the opportunity to present a poster at the conference, which led to an invitation to contribute an article to a special edition of the Australian Journal of Emergency Management. This article can be found on my publications page, representing a significant outcome from this valuable networking and knowledge-sharing experience.
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