Congratulations to Dr Malcolm Johnson and his team, listed as finalists in The Disaster Challenge!

Published: 07/08/2025

Congratulations to Dr Malcolm Johnson and his team of HDR students who workshopped a real-world problem in the CMS Interdisciplinary School 2025 earlier in the year, and who have now been listed as finalists in The Disaster Challenge 2025!

Three innovative, forward-thinking teams’ ideas to make Australia safer and more resilient to natural hazards were announced as finalists for the 2025 Disaster Challenge today. 

The project: 'Thriving coastal futures in southern Tasmania'

Team: Dr Malcolm S. Johnson (Huon Valley Council/CMS), Bianca Suarez (Australian National University), Edith Shum (University of Tasmania/CMS), Kianna Gallagher (University of Tasmania/CMS), Hevi Kurnia Hardini (Australian Maritime College/CMS), Rosie Katunar (Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania)

Malcolm applied for some seed funding during the CMS pitch funding session earlier this year to be able to get the team of students to put their ideas into actions.

What’s next?

Over the next three months, the three team finalists will receive mentoring and support from Natural Hazards Research Australia and its network of universities and emergency management organisations to further develop their ideas and refine their presentation skills.

These finalist concepts will be showcased at the Disaster Challenge final in Hobart, Tasmania on 14 October 2025 to mark the UN International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction.

The Disaster Challenge final is a public event — stay tuned to Natural Hazards Research Australia’s website

University of TasmaniaInstitute of Marine and Antarctic StudiesCSIRO Department of the EnvironmentGEOS
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