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LIVESTREAM Igniting Conversation: Building resilience in our communities after bushfires

8 July 2021
6.00pm – 7.30pm AEST
Online
This event has ended
Photo of burning forest

Presented by the UNSW Bushfire Research Group in collaboration with UNSW Science, this event brings together experts at the intersection of industry, research, and philanthropy to discuss the ongoing need for research around extreme bushfires and how we can build resilience to protect our most vulnerable communities in the face of unprecedented natural disasters.

The event will be a livestreamed Q&A style panel. Please register to receive a link to the livestream.

If you are unavailable on the day of the event, choose On Demand and you will receive a copy of the video after the event.

Speakers
Emma Johnston head shot

Professor Emma Johnston AO

Dean, Faculty of Science, UNSW Sydney

Professor Emma Johnston AO FTSE FRSN is Dean of Science and Professor of Marine Ecology and Ecotoxicology at UNSW Sydney. She studies the impacts of human activities in marine ecosystems and how we can build ecological resilience. A highly awarded scientist, educator and communicator, Professor Johnston is a national advocate for the Science and Technology sector. She is Co-Chief Author of the Australian Government’s State of Environment Report, and a Director on the Board of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority. She consults with industry through the development and implementation of new biomonitoring and ecological engineering techniques and frequently contributes expert opinion to state, federal and international agencies. She is also a highly sought-after science communicator and television presenter for the ongoing BBC/Foxtel series, Coast Australia. Last year, Professor Johnston was part of a team of ecologists who sampled nine estuaries in New South Wales to determine the impact of bushfire ash on our coastal communities.

Mary O'Kane head shot

Emerita Professor Mary O’Kane AC

Executive Chair, O’Kane Associates

Emerita Professor Mary O'Kane has an extraordinary breadth and depth of experience in the innovation, research, higher education, energy, ICT, public policy and development spheres. Currently the Chair of the NSW Independent Planning Commission and Executive Chairman of O'Kane Associates, her previous roles include Chief Scientist and Engineer for NSW and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Adelaide. Emerita Professor O'Kane has been called upon to carry out several reviews of government and scientific agencies in Australia and other countries, in areas including the Bureau of Meteorology, coal seam gas, Malaysian research infrastructure, energy security, koala populations, rail coal dust emissions and road tunnel air quality. More recently, Emerita Professor O'Kane was one of the co-leads for the NSW Government enquiry into the 2019-2020 bushfire season, and the lead of the review into the Higher education system by the Australian Government. Emerita Professor O'Kane has been recognised for her work by a number of awards, including being appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia for eminent service to science and engineering and for her contribution to national policy development and governance.

Richard Bryant head shot

Scientia Professor Richard Bryant

Director, UNSW Traumatic Stress Clinic

Professor Richard Bryant is a Scientia Professor of Psychology at UNSW Sydney and Director of the UNSW Traumatic Stress Clinic. Professor Bryant has researched the nature, course, and treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) for over 30 years. His work has identified key genetic, neural and psychological factors underpinning PTSD and his longitudinal studies have led to the world’s leading screening tools for early identification of PTSD, as well as development of the most commonly used treatment protocols. Professor Bryant has worked on many Australian and international projects aimed at reducing PTSD and other mental health disorders following trauma exposure, including the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York, the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami, and Hurricane Katrina. Professor Bryant and his team led a major study on the long-term effects of the Black Saturday Fires, They have also been engaged by Emergency Management Australia to establish an ongoing mental health services for emergency service workers, including firefighters, police and paramedics, and their families, who were affected by the 2019/2020 fire season.  Professor Bryant has also been active in shaping government policies on mental health response to disasters, including the recent fire seasons.