Annual Research Symposium a huge success

Participants at the 2026 NSW BNHRC Annual Research Symposium.

More than 100 researchers and NSW government agency representatives came together on Wednesday 27 May for our NSW BNHRC Annual Research Symposium.

After a successful inaugural symposium in 2025, this year's event was focused on sharing the latest updates from BNHRC research projects and strengthening connections between researchers and end-users.

We were joined by experts from many fields – academia, land management, emergency management, government and disaster resilience – to collaborate on the future of bushfire and natural hazards science in NSW policy and practice.

Uncle Nook Webster (DCCEEW & Yuin Community), Scientia A/Prof Mark Ooi (UNSW) and Tahnee Chandler (UNSW) presented Yuin Murramarang – On-Country Collaborations, highlighting the value of working together on Country.

The event kicked off with a Welcome to Country from Aunty Julie Jones at the historic Dharug Ancestors Gathering Circle at Parramatta Square, before moving to Western Sydney University for a full day of knowledge sharing.

Delegates were briefed on the latest updates of more than 50 projects underway at the BNHRC, covering topics such as climate and weather, compound climate risks, On-Country collaborations and Indigenous research, fuel management, fire ignition and behaviour, smoke impacts, and changing ecosystems.

We hosted a successful 'Meet the Researchers' session, inviting representatives from NSW emergency management agencies to connect directly with academics whose research findings may be able to create a positive change in agency policy or practice. 

Panellists Jess Weir (WSU), Melissa O'Halloran (RFS), Elspeth O'Shannessy (SES), Grant Williamson (UTas) and Pat Schell (DCCEEW–NPWS) discussed how research can better inform emergency management policy and practice.

Another highlight was a panel called 'Where to next: Translation and implementation', in which representatives from academia and agencies unpacked the importance of new science in the future of emergency management, and how they can better work together to ensure that new evidence is incorporated.

Centre Director A/Prof Rachael Nolan reflected on the significance of this event.

"A key strength of the BNHRC is that it creates a pipeline straight from science to practice, and there was no greater example of how well this is working than at the Symposium.

"There was such important knowledge shared, and it was impressive to watch a room full of NSW's collaborative network of natural hazards practitioners and experts generously connecting, all with the same goal of creating safer communities.

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Image credits: Kyisoe Han