Conference shines in Perth

In a week of highlights, the Research Forum, Student Showcase and research utilisation award were proud moments for the Bushfire CRC at our joint annual conference with AFAC in Perth in late August.

Around 1300 delegates attended over the conference week, with 141 trade expo displays. Featuring 37 presentations that covered the full range of fire and natural hazards, the Research Forum opened the conference week, and provided a great opportunity for the research community and emergency management personnel to engage in focused discussions. Bushfire CRC PhD student based at the Bureau of Meteorology, Mika Peace,was voted best presenter by attendees.

The Bushfire CRC introduced a new award,the Excellence in Utilisation of Bushfire CRC Research award, which acknowledges agencies demonstrating effective uptake of Bushfire CRC research into their business. The inaugural award was won by the Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service (above, Bushfire CRC CEO Gary Morgan presenting the award to Adrian Pyrke) for its utilisation of Bushfire CRC expertise in working toward changing workplace culture to become a high reliability organisation. The Bushfire CRC was also pleased to commend the efforts in research utilisation at the Western Australian Fire and Emergency Services Authority, the New South Wales Rural Fire Service and the ACT Parks and Conservation Service.

The International Association of Wildland Fire presented a scholarship to Bushfire CRC student Rachel Carter (La Trobe University) for her research into insurance and fire.

On the last day, Bushfire CRC PhD students were given the opportunity to feature their projects during the Student Showcase. Held in a more relaxed ‘interview-style’ environment,the showcase gave 16 students the chance to discuss what their research had uncovered to date, and what the next steps would be.

All the Research Forum presentations and posters are now online.