Bringing together bushfire and natural hazards experts & decision makers
Co-designed research that solves real-world problems
Strengthening the knowledge base for NSW’s disaster management
The NSW Bushfire and Natural Hazards Research Centre unites researchers from partner universities with government agencies, frontline emergency services, Aboriginal people and community stakeholders in a collective effort to tackle the challenges posed by bushfires and other natural hazards.
With assistance from the NSW Government, the Centre focuses on addressing key recommendations from the 2020 Bushfire Inquiry and 2022 Flood Inquiry.
Funded by the NSW Government via the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW), the BNHRC generates high quality research and evidence that can be put into real-world practice. This will improve NSW’s approach to disaster management, especially in the face of a changing climate and complex social and ecological challenges.
Our Centre brings together the knowledge, skills and expertise of many, including Indigenous knowledge holders, policymakers and practitioners from across NSW Government and scientific experts from participating universities. It builds on the important legacy of its predecessor, the NSW Bushfire Risk Management Research Hub.
Collaborating with governments, researchers, and other partners across south-eastern Australia
Collaborating with experts from
across south-eastern Australia
Based at Western Sydney University, the NSW Bushfire and Natural Hazards Research Centre brings the skills and expertise of scientific experts from participating institutions together with Indigenous knowledge holders, and policymakers and practitioners from across NSW Government. It builds on the important legacy of its predecessor, the NSW Bushfire Risk Management Research Hub.
The BNHRC’s research aims to foster synergies between Aboriginal knowledge and scientific approaches to provide a holistic approach to managing the effects of fire, floods and extreme weather on Country.
NEWS & EVENTS
Future climate experts needed
The NSW BNHRC’s Climate and Weather research node has launched a targeted master’s program to better understand climate and weather extremes of relevance to bushfires and floods and their impacts.
We are seeking expressions of interest from exceptional students wanting to pursue a two-year, fully funded Master of Philosophy degree in climate and weather research at UNSW Sydney, starting in 2024. If you're interested, FILL OUT THE ONLINE FORM HERE
Submissions will remain open for later enrolment until all places are filled. Selected candidates will be invited to submit a formal application for study at UNSW.
Leadership team on fire
AWARD RECIPIENTS
Outgoing Director Prof. Matthias Boer and Acting Director Dr. Rachael Nolan and the HIE Bushfire Research Team received the Excellence in Research Impact Award at the 2023 Western Sydney University Excellence Awards.
The HIE Bushfire Research Group were announced as the recipients of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Research, Enterprise and International)’s Excellence in Research Impact Award, which recognises an individual researcher or team of researchers, whose research has achieved considerable impact outside the academic community in the preceding five years.
The Awards recognise long-term effort over many years and highlight the outstanding reputation and expertise that the HIE brings to the leadership of the NSW BNHRC.
AFAC24 Conference
3-6 September 2024
ICC Sydney, Australia
AFAC24 Conference & Exhibition powered by INTERSCHUTZ is Australasia’s largest and most comprehensive emergency management conference and exhibition. Brought to you by AFAC, Deutsche Messe, the Institution of Fire Engineers (Australia) and Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience (AIDR).
AFAC24 Conference and Exhibition will offer access to over 100 conference presenters between 3-5 September. Delegates will hear from international and local thought leaders across our multi-streamed, AFAC conference. Day one of the conference is the Research and Innovation Day, while the Professional Development Program will follow on from the conferences on 6 September.
Calling all future climate and weather experts!
The NSW BNHRC’s climate and weather research node is launching a targeted master’s program to better understand climate and weather extremes of relevance to bushfires and floods and their impacts.
We are seeking expressions of interest from exceptional students wanting to pursue a two-year, fully funded Master of Philosophy degree in climate and weather research at UNSW Sydney, starting in 2024.
If you're interested, FILL OUT THE ONLINE FORM HERE
Submissions will remain open for later enrolment until all places are filled. Selected candidates will be invited to submit a formal application for study at UNSW.
Leadership team on fire
AWARD RECIPIENTS
Outgoing Director Prof. Matthias Boer and Acting Director Dr. Rachael Nolan and the HIE Bushfire Research Team received the Excellence in Research Impact Award at the 2023 Western Sydney University Excellence Awards.
The HIE Bushfire Research Group were announced as the recipients of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Research, Enterprise and International)’s Excellence in Research Impact Award, which recognises an individual researcher or team of researchers, whose research has achieved considerable impact outside the academic community in the preceding five years.
The Awards recognise long-term effort over many years and highlight the outstanding reputation and expertise that the HIE brings to the leadership of the NSW BNHRC.
7th International Fire Behaviour and Fuels Conference
15-19 April 2024
Canberra, Australia
The 7th International Fire Behaviour and Fuels Conference offers a forum where past fire management experience and lessons learned are documented, current work showcased, and emerging research, innovation and techniques on fire management shared, towards developing integrated solutions to these challenges.
This conference on three continents provides an opportunity to showcase how different countries can implement newly developed fire management policies and frameworks at national, regional and local levels to address fire risks and build resilience. The Conference will unite policy makers, scientists, fire managers and Indigenous land stewards for a shared purpose and a different future living with fire.
NEWS
The NSW Bushfire and Natural Hazards Research Centre acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the many lands on which we learn and live. We commit to respectfully walking alongside First Nations people in the search for knowledge new and old.
This project was supported by the New South Wales Government and delivered in partnership with NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.
Maximilien (Max) Desservettaz (UoW) Post-doctoral Research Fellow FULL PROFILE