Round-up: Busy end to 2025

The end of 2025 saw a swathe of events and conferences, with BNHRC researchers adding to the silverware cabinet as well as publishing and presenting on ongoing research work.

Public commentary on bushfires and climate risk

BNHRC Director A/Prof Rachael Nolan, Deputy Director Prof Rachael Gallagher and Node Leader Dr Chris Gordon (all WSU) published an article in The Conversation, explaining emerging bushfire and climate risks in the wake of major incidents this fire season. This work supports public discussion and demonstrate the Centre’s commitment to sharing evidence-based insights beyond academic audiences.

See 'Primed to burn: what’s behind the intense, sudden fires burning across New South Wales and Tasmania'

You can also hear Node Leader A/Prof Grant Williamson's commentary on the situation in Tasmania on ABC Hobart (from about 19 mins into the show).

National and international research leadership at MODSIM 2025

Several researchers and students from the BNHRC attended and contributed papers to the 26th International Congress on Modelling and Simulation (MODSIM 2025) in Adelaide, Australia’s leading forum for modelling complex environmental and hazard systems. Their participation highlighted the BNHRC’s role in advancing practical modelling tools that help governments and communities better understand and manage climate-driven natural hazards.

Recognition for leadership in hazard science

In addition to the above, BNHRC Node Leaders Prof Jason Evans and Prof Jason Sharples, both UNSW, co-convened the Global Change and Natural Hazards stream at MODSIM 2025, bringing together leading experts on climate, fire and risk modelling.

Prof Sharples also received the 2025 Biennial Medal of the Modelling and Simulation Society of Australia and New Zealand. The Biennial Medal is the highest honour that the Society awards and recognises exceptional research contributions to modelling and simulation, and for promoting the aims of the Society.

Award-winning ecological research at ESA 2025

Several BNHRC-affiliated researchers also travelled to Adelaide for the 2025 Ecological Society of Australia Conference, with A/Prof Mark Ooi of UNSW presenting the keyneote. PhD student Camille Sicangco received the Australian Flora Foundation Student Prize for an outstanding poster presentation on Australian plant responses to climate change. Her BNHRC-supported project combines field research and advanced modelling to improve understanding of how forests may respond to warming and heatwaves.

National recognition for culturally informed emergency management

The Applied Bushfire Science Team at the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) received an Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience (AIDR) Resilient Australia Award for their Aboriginal Cultural Incident Management Exercise. This Australian-first initiative demonstrated how Aboriginal cultural knowledge can be safely and respectfully integrated into live emergency decision-making, strengthening the protection of culturally significant sites during bushfires. The Applied Bushfire Science Team also hosts the BNHRC Knowledge Exchange Office and administers the Centre on behalf of government end-users.

The initiative was also presented at the Adapt NSW forum in November, where several BNHRC researchers and end-users featured across the program. Speakers and panellists included BNHRC Indigenous Advisors Taya Barrett and Oliver Costello, and several end-users involved with the Centre Steering Committee and Working Groups.

Advancing smoke science through national collaboration

The University of Wollongong hosted the 2025 Atmospheric Composition and Chemistry Observations and Modelling Conference, bringing together experts in smoke, aerosols and air quality from across Australia and New Zealand. Co-sponsored by the BNHRC, the conference strengthened collaboration on understanding bushfire smoke impacts on health, the environment and communities.

Research publications influencing public understanding and policy

BNHRC researchers Dr Max Desservettez and Prof Clare Murphy published new findings on bushfire smoke in the International Journal of Wildland Fire, advancing knowledge of smoke behaviour and impacts. The research attracted national media attention, including coverage by ABC Radio, helping translate complex science into information relevant for public safety and policy decisions.

See 'Addressing firefighter concerns: unraveling the complexities of bushfire smoke composition and toxicity'

BNHRC researchers wrote about recent bushfires in The Conversation. [Image Dan Himbrechts/AAP]

The BNHRC's Dr Assaf Inbar, Dist Prof Belinda Medlyn, A/Prof Fiona Johnson and Masters candidate Sim

PhD student Camille Sicangco and her AFF prize poster at ESA..

A/Prof Mark Ooi presents the keynote at ESA 2025