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Research Title
Aotearoa New Zealand’s Tsunami Warning System: Considerations for Enhancing Hazard Communication and Response.
- More about Rachel
Academic Background
- University College London, 2018 - present, PhD Environmental Science. Project title: Aotearoa New Zealand’s Tsunami Warning System: Considerations for Enhancing Hazard Communication and Response.
- University of Portsmouth, 2016 - 2017, MSc Geological and Environmental Hazards. Thesis title: The Effect of Earthquake Source Location and Moment Magnitude along the Philippine Trench on Tsunami Wave Propagation and Runup at the Eastern Philippine Coastlines.
- University of Chester, 2012 - 2015, BSc (Hons) Geography and Natural Hazard Management. Dissertation title: Hazard Perception of Japanese Students in the Wake of the 2011 Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami.
- Research Interests
This research focusses on tsunami early warnings and responses, aiming to understand and enhance Aotearoa New Zealand’s tsunami warning system, drawing good practices that can benefit the global tsunami community. Individuals and communities are known to respond in different ways to official tsunami warnings and natural tsunami warning signs.
This research seeks to understand how official warnings are decided upon and communicated and the ways in which warnings can be tailored through education and engagement measures to improve tsunami awareness and preparedness. Social research methods were used to investigate tsunami early warnings and responses in Aotearoa New Zealand. Documents and archives were studied to examine the nature and content of official tsunami information and the methods currently used to communicate these warnings.
Semi-structured interviews were conducted with tsunami researchers, warning specialists, and emergency managers to gain an understanding of the opinions held on the effectiveness of official warnings and public education. Participants were recruited from research institutes, national agencies, regional groups, and local councils in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Policy Impact Statement
This research aims to improve the understanding of and responses to official tsunami warnings and natural tsunami warning signs, contributing to the development of tsunami resilient communities in Aotearoa New Zealand and beyond.
