James Cook University is establishing a new Centre for Climate Adaption and Disaster Resilience (CADRE) to drive innovation and action across disaster preparedness, response and recovery to help create more resilient communities.
The Centre will integrate expertise across engineering, ecology, health, social science, policy development and Indigenous knowledge to deliver solutions to ensure world-class research across these disciplines is translated into improved community outcomes before, during and after disasters.
The Centre will enhance collaboration between government, industry, researchers, and communities and position JCU at the forefront of all aspects of disaster management and climate adaption.
JCU Vice Chancellor and President Professor Simon Biggs said the University had a long history in delivering nation-leading research in this area and the Centre would take that to a new level.
“The University is investing significantly in expanding our capacity and capability in climate adaption and disaster resilience because they are critical issues for northern Australian and the Tropics more broadly,” Prof Biggs said.
“This new approach will bring social sciences together with engineering and cutting-edge research to gain new insights into how to better prepare communities for either a natural disaster or the impacts of climate change.
“The research, collaboration and innovation that occurs at CADRE will help to make communities across the Tropics safer, more resilient and adaptive.”
Deputy Vice Chancellor Research Professor Jenny Seddon said the Centre would leverage and integrate the expertise of JCU’s leading research institutes.
“The Cyclone Testing Station, The Cairns Institute, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine and TropWater will all collaborate and share their expertise to find innovative new solutions make our communities more resilient,” Prof Seddon said.
“It’s an incredible opportunity to enhance the research JCU is doing in these fields already and increase the benefit to people and communities right across the Tropics.”
The inaugural Director of CADRE will be Professor Bouchra Senadji, who is also currently Acting Dean of the College of Science and Engineering.
